Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Understanding types of artificial intelligence requires two complementary frameworks. Capability tells you what an AI can do. Functionality tells you how it processes information.
| Capability (What It Does) | Functionality (How It Works) | Exists Today? |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow AI (ANI) | Primarily Limited Memory | ✅ Yes |
| General AI (AGI) | Theory of Mind (hypothetical) | ❌ No |
| Super AI (ASI) | Self-Aware (hypothetical) | ❌ No |
Today’s AI—chatbots, self-driving cars, facial recognition—is all narrow AI powered by limited memory systems. They use historical data to make decisions but lack genuine understanding. As AI advances toward AGI, it will likely need theory of mind capabilities: the ability to infer thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Superintelligence would represent the final convergence of both frameworks.
For a complete exploration of each type, see our pillar post on types of artificial intelligence . For a deep dive into the technology powering today’s systems, read our limited memory AI guide .
