What makes systems intelligent

Abstract

Abstract We are confronted with the concept of intelligence every day. Starting with human intelligence to artificial intelligence. Some animals are also attested to be intelligent based on specific problems they solve. We also come across terms such as swarm intelligence, emotional intelligence or even physical intelligence. But there is still a lack of a clear definition of what intelligence actually is and, in particular, how it could be measured. Intelligence tests that provide quantitative information have so far only been available from psychology and only for people. There is a lack of criteria for what makes a system an intelligent system. This became particularly clear with the question of whether generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can be considered intelligent at all. So can intelligence be derived from the cognitive abilities of a system, or is it ultimately decisive how these abilities come about? This paper suggests a definition of the term intelligence and suggests an explanation for what constitutes intelligence and to what extent intelligence is required to gain knowledge. And finally it is questioned whether artificial systems are intelligent and have any knowledge at all.