The four main types of AI can be categorized based on their capabilities and the scope of their functionalities.

The 4 Types Of AI…

Reactive AI (Narrow AI)

• Description – Reactive AI refers to AI systems that are designed to perform specific tasks and respond to particular stimuli or situations. They don’t retain memories or learn from past experiences; instead, they react to the current environment.
• Examples
  • IBM’s Deep Blue, which beat a world chess champion, is a classic example of reactive AI. It analyzed chess moves based on predefined rules and algorithms, without recalling past games or learning from them.
  • Customer service chatbots that answer queries based on set rules.

Limited Memory AI

• Description – Limited Memory AI systems can store data from past experiences to make better decisions in the future. This type of AI can learn from historical data and use that to make predictions or decisions. Its learning capability is limited and restricted to specific tasks.
• Examples
  • Self-driving cars use Limited Memory AI to make decisions by analyzing traffic data, road signs, and past experiences to predict the best course of action.
  • Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa improve their responses based on your past queries.

Theory of Mind AI

• Description – Theory of Mind AI refers to a more advanced type of AI that is still in development. It involves understanding and mimicking human emotions, beliefs, intentions, and other mental processes. In essence, this type of AI would be capable of understanding human emotions and interacting in a more empathetic manner.
• Examples
  • AI systems are capable of recognizing facial expressions, voice tones, or body language to gauge emotional states, but such systems are still in early development and far from mainstream use.

Self-Aware AI (Artificial General Intelligence – AGI)

• Description – Self-Aware AI, or Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), is a highly advanced form of AI that possesses the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a broad range of tasks, much like a human. It can think, reason, solve problems, and have self-awareness. This type of AI does not yet exist but is a goal in AI research.
• Examples – Currently, there are no real-world examples of true Self-Aware AI, as it remains a theoretical concept.

As of now, most AI systems in use are Reactive or Limited Memory AI, while Theory of Mind and Self-Aware AI remain long-term goals in AI development.