Pascal Kaufmann: Generative AI is a "revolution"

The machines are a transformative technology with "zero intelligence."

Generative AI is revolutionizing politics, business, and culture. But is it all hype or the next step toward artificial general intelligence? I spoke with Pascal Kaufmann, founder of the Mindfire group and AGI expert, on the reality and potential of platforms like ChatGPT.

While the rapid strides in AI are awe-inspiring, it's crucial to distinguish between "parlor tricks" and meaningful evolution. Kaufman says that despite its usefulness, platforms like ChatGPT possess "zero intelligence." This claim stems from how he defines intelligence: The capacity to tackle unseen problems. While ChatGPT can mimic conversations based on previous encounters, it lacks the capability to solve novel problems. Therefore, despite appearing intelligent, it ranks zero on Kaufman's intelligence scale.

Kaufman views large language models like ChatGPT as a "high ladder" that may seem to progress towards AGI but ultimately reaches a dead end. Instead of being a direct path to AGI, they serve as practical tools that accelerate progress in science.

But even if LLMs like ChatGPT aren't a direct route to AGI, they're changing how we work, marking a "revolution in usefulness." Kaufman cites personal experiences where ChatGPT's capabilities enabled him to quickly and affordably generate complex visual work. This revolution doesn't involve deep learning or machine learning, but rather it's about transforming how we ask and answer questions.

While the ChatGPT may not represent a leap towards AGI, it is undeniably redefining productivity, expediting processes, and reconfiguring how we work and think. Thus, it is clear that generative AI is more than just hype; it's a significant force propelling us toward a future shaped by AI.

Watch the full interview on ZDNet