The Elusive Quest for AGI: Science or Speculation?

Abstract

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has become ubiquitous in technological discourse, fueling excitement and apprehension. However, a critical examination reveals that AGI remains a nebulous concept, lacking a precise definition and failing to meet the rigorous standards of a scientific hypothesis. This presentation delves into AGI's core challenges, addressing the fundamental question: Is it a genuine scientific pursuit, marketing, or a collection of unsubstantiated claims?

We will explore tech leaders' diverse and often conflicting perspectives, highlighting the absence of consensus on AGI's nature and feasibility. Furthermore, we will consider the possibility that human intelligence transcends computational processes, raising questions about the limitations of current AI paradigms. The nature of consciousness, often relegated to philosophical and neuroscientific inquiry, will be brought into the discussion, suggesting its potential relevance to the AGI debate.

The presentation will also address the problematic tendency to anthropomorphize AI and use hyperbolic pronouncements about its capabilities. In conclusion, we will argue that a more nuanced and critical approach is necessary to navigate the complexities of AGI, moving beyond the hype and fostering a more grounded understanding of artificial intelligence's potential and limitations.

Speaker Biography

Kerrie Holley's pioneering journey spans from punch cards to today's AI revolution, leading breakthrough innovations across every significant computing paradigm. Named IBM's first Black Distinguished Engineer and later IBM Fellow, he shattered barriers while architecting and engineering transformative solutions in the mainframe, client-server, Internet, mobile, cloud, and AI era. His exceptional contributions and innovations earned him induction into the National Academy of Engineering (2023) and the National Inventors Hall of Fame (2025).

As a tech executive at Google and VP/CTO at Cisco, Kerrie drove enterprise-scale innovation. In healthcare, he built and led a groundbreaking team of engineers, scientists, and AI specialists who revolutionized healthcare delivery through cutting-edge technology. His deep expertise in healthcare transformation is captured in his latest books, "LLM and Generative AI in Healthcare” (2024) and “AI First Healthcare” (2021), part of his extensive portfolio of published works on technology innovation.

Today, he shapes the future of technology through board leadership, speaking engagements, strategic consultation, and continued thought leadership in emerging technologies.