The name Artificial Intelligence (AI) provokes fears and mistrust, generating the idea of competition with human intelligence. To what extent is the name responsible for this perception?
The term was coined by John McCarthy in 1956, during the Dartmouth Conference. McCarthy and his colleagues sought to define a new field of research focused on machines capable of performing tasks that required human intelligence. The appeal of the term helped secure funding and political support, as it evoked an ambitious and powerful image. Although this approach was effective in attracting attention and funds, it also negatively influenced public perception.
Naming a concept, product, or technology can define its success or generate long-lasting misunderstandings. For example, the term «cloud» in computing helped simplify the concept of remote storage, making it more accessible, while «artificial intelligence» perpetuates the idea that we are creating an autonomous entity that competes with our intelligence.
Fear of the name
The problem lies in the word «intelligence.» Humans take pride in our ability to think, create, and adapt. Calling a machine «intelligent» blurs the lines between what is human and what is artificial, generating the fear of losing our uniqueness. This fear intensifies when AI is perceived as replacing human roles—in work, art, or decisions requiring empathy and moral judgment.
The media often describe AI in terms of competition: machines that take jobs, become smarter than us, or could even replace our role in society. Headlines like «Machines are taking our jobs» or «Artificial intelligence will surpass human capacity» reinforce this perception. Science fiction has capitalized on this, creating scenarios where AI could mean the extinction of the human species. This apocalyptic focus is more a projection of our fears than reality, as machines have no interests nor seek to «win» anything.
AI systems do not think or feel; they only perform specific tasks for which they were programmed, such as analyzing data and recognizing patterns. The term «artificial intelligence» suggests capabilities they do not have, thus increasing public apprehension. This fear is amplified by misunderstandings about how AI works and the consequences of its integration into society.
Throughout history, we have developed technologies that surpass our capabilities without seeing them as threats, but as extensions of our abilities. We cannot walk on water, but we build boats; we cannot fly, but we design planes. Calculators perform calculations faster than we can, cranes lift more weight than we could carry, and vehicles allow us to travel faster than we can run. Artificial intelligence should be seen in the same way: not as a rival, but as a powerful tool that allows us to achieve the impossible.
Another Terminology Would Have Been Possible, but it is Too Late
A more precise alternative would be to talk about «augmented intelligence«. This term puts humans at the center, highlighting the collaboration between our abilities and machines. «Augmented intelligence» emphasizes cooperation, showing that technology does not replace our abilities, but enhances them. Changing the name would help us better understand the symbiotic relationship with AI: a relationship that does not seek to replace but to augment our capabilities.
Names like augmented computing, machine learning technologies, predictive analytics, or digital assistants could have been chosen to improve public understanding. To better explain generative AI, terms like assisted creativity, automatic content generation, generative modeling, or digital creation systems could be used.
To mitigate these fears and effectively adopt AI-related technologies, we need to reconsider how we frame our relationship with them. Rather than viewing AI as a competitor, it should be presented as an extension of our capabilities. It is a tool that helps solve complex problems. It increases human creativity and improves quality of life. We must change the language and discourse to make it clear that we are not creating a «new intelligence» that competes with ours, but systems that support us and allow us to perform tasks that were previously impossible.
Changing the Name Is Impossible, but We Can Promote AI as Augmented Human Intelligence
Artificial intelligence, as we commonly understand it, does not truly exist. Even if we reach AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), it will still remain a technology designed by humans, for humans, to support us in our endeavors rather than function as an autonomous entity. True artificial intelligence seems distant, and moreover, it is entirely unnecessary. As the scientist Alan Kay said: «The best way to predict the future is to invent it.» And it must be clear that in this future, when we redefine the narrative, what we call artificial technology should be perceived as a true ally of humanity.
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