AI, SI, or Something Else? The Public Will Decide What We Call It
Commentary from Attorney Ron Frey
Since the recent artificial intelligence summit with President Trump and industry leaders, there’s been a growing push to use the term “superintelligence,” or SI, to describe the computing models and large language models being built and used today.
As someone who defends people accused of internet and computer crimes, I spend a lot of time with technology and the words we use for it. The name “artificial intelligence” has always struck me as an odd choice. Most people don’t go looking for things that are artificial. They want things that are real and genuine. And with all respect to the people behind it, I can’t think of a less inviting brand name than “ChatGPT.” The technology is remarkable. The name, not so much.
“Superintelligence” may capture what these tools are becoming better than “artificial” does, but it has drawbacks of its own. It can sound like science fiction, and not everyone is comfortable with the idea of something “super” intelligent. In everyday conversation, the short versions, AI and SI, are simply more convenient, and they’re what people actually say.
We’ve Been Here Before
All of this reminds me of growing up when the internet first came online. Back then, it was the “World Wide Web,” spelled out in full, everywhere you looked. Then it became “the web,” then “the net.” It was “America Online,” and then just “online.”
Today, hardly anyone says they’re going to “get on the internet” or “go online.” They say “Google it,” or they name the platform they’re using: Facebook, Instagram, X. Nobody voted on that. People just settled on what worked.
The Public Will Decide
There will be a political process, too. Governments need official terms for laws and regulations, and it looks like the federal government is leaning toward “superintelligence,” while there are indications that some states, California among them, are sticking with “artificial intelligence.” Like most things today, it’s political. But official terminology and everyday language don’t always match.
I suspect the same thing will happen here. Whether we end up saying artificial intelligence, superintelligence, AI, SI, or simply the name of whatever platform someone is using, the public will decide what sticks. It usually does.
At the end of the day, we don’t even know what it will be. My guess is it ends up being something different from all of these, because this technology is going to be everywhere, in everything. And if history is any guide, the fewer syllables, the better.
What won’t change, whatever we call it, is that the law looks at what people actually do, and the evidence has to prove it. If you’re curious how that plays out, see our posts on how police get AI chats, images, and account records and AI image generators and the law.
Questions? Let’s Talk.
If you would like to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about an investigation or charge involving AI or other technology, or you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact Attorney Ron Frey of The Frey Law Firm, LLC, wherever you are. Your consultation is free and confidential. You can talk with us by phone, by video, or at our Tampa office, and when the situation calls for it, we can come to you.
Call or text (813) 775-2276. Rapid response, 24/7.
This post is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws involving artificial intelligence and digital evidence are changing quickly and vary from state to state, and how they apply depends on the facts of each case and on how courts interpret them. Please don’t rely on this post, or on any other information online, to make decisions about your situation. Talk with a lawyer.