Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): Definition, Risks, Example

What Is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?

By Keith Noonan – Updated Sep 9, 2025 at 12:10 PM EST

Key Points

AGI could match human reasoning, altering data analysis capacities vastly.
Though still theoretical, AGI's development might span decades or a century.
Investors should monitor AGI's potential risks and development timeline.

The capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) are advancing at an incredible pace, but this technology revolution is still just starting to unfold. If massive leaps forward continue, it's even possible that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could be created.

Infographic defining artificial general intelligence (AGI) — Image source: The Motley Fool

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What Is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?

Artificial general intelligence is a hypothetical AI technology that would be able to solve unfamiliar problems, learn, and incorporate new information into its processes without the need for human modifications or inputs. AGI is sometimes referred to as the Holy Grail of artificial intelligence.

In short, an AGI system would be capable of thinking and reasoning the way that humans do. With near-instantaneous access to an incredible array of information and the ability to perform advanced calculations at levels far exceeding human capacity, it would represent a completely new kind of intelligence.

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What is an example of AGI?

While there are no known examples of artificial general intelligence currently in existence, there are many examples of sentient, highly advanced AGIs in fiction. Popular sci-fi franchises, including The Matrix and Terminator, take place in settings and timelines in which AGI systems have come into conflict with humanity -- to devastating effect.

The potential dangers that could arise from artificial general intelligence are a recurring theme in science fiction, and the rapid evolution of AI technologies taking place today raises questions that evoke parallels to some of those dystopian stories. While artificial intelligence has incredible potential to do good in the world, this new technology frontier will likely have disruptive effects even if something as advanced as AGI is never created.

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About the Author

Keith Noonan is a contributing writer at The Motley Fool covering technology, consumer goods, and other sectors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College.

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Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.