Super Intelligence (SI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) are related terms that have different meanings in government policy and artificial intelligence research.

• Super Intelligence (SI) is the term adopted by the United States federal executive branch in September 2026 as an alternative to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Under Executive Order 14434, SI refers to the same broad category of technologies covered by the existing federal statutory definition of artificial intelligence. In this policy context, SI does not necessarily describe systems that are more intelligent than humans. It is a terminology change rather than a newly established category of technology.
• Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) refers to a hypothetical form of artificial intelligence that would substantially exceed human cognitive abilities across virtually all intellectual domains, including scientific discovery, creative problem-solving, reasoning, judgment, and social understanding. Unlike current artificial intelligence systems, artificial superintelligence would demonstrate capabilities substantially beyond those of even the most capable human experts. No artificial intelligence system has been established as meeting this definition as of October 2026.

The concept of machine intelligence surpassing human intelligence predates contemporary generative artificial intelligence. In the 1960s, mathematician I. J. Good introduced the idea of an ultraintelligent machine capable of outperforming humans in intellectual activities, including designing increasingly capable machines. This concept contributed to later discussions of recursive self-improvement and an intelligence explosion. Philosopher Nick Bostrom further developed and popularized the concept in his 2014 book Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Bostrom examined the possibility of machines surpassing human intelligence, the potential benefits of such systems, and the difficulties of ensuring their development and operation remain aligned with human interests.

Artificial superintelligence is generally discussed in relation to these other concepts:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The broad field of computer systems capable of performing tasks associated with human intelligence, including prediction, reasoning, language processing, and decision support.
• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): A proposed level of artificial intelligence capable of performing a wide range of cognitive tasks with general-purpose abilities comparable to those of humans, although definitions and assessment criteria vary.
• Artificial Superintelligence (ASI): A proposed level of artificial intelligence that would substantially exceed human cognitive performance across nearly all domains.

These represent different concepts or proposed levels of technological capability. Artificial superintelligence remains hypothetical, and there is no universally accepted method for determining when artificial general intelligence or artificial superintelligence has been achieved.

The terminology in play is impacted by developments in U.S. policy. On September 29, 2026, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14434, Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence, directing federal executive agencies to replace the terminology Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Super Intelligence (SI) in specified official communications and documents. For purposes of the order, Super Intelligence has the same meaning as artificial intelligence under the existing federal statutory definition. The order also provides for development of a proposed new federal definition. This creates an important distinction between government terminology and established research terminology. The federal use of Super Intelligence does not mean that current artificial intelligence systems have achieved the capabilities associated with artificial superintelligence. AI remains widely used in scientific literature, education, workforce development, industry, and international policy.

Terminology is increasingly important as artificial intelligence becomes incorporated into education and training programs, occupational standards, workforce policies, employer practices, and government-funded initiatives.

• Differences in terminology can affect how organizations describe emerging technologies, identify skill requirements, develop curricula, interpret policy, and communicate with learners and workers.
• Clear distinctions between artificial intelligence, artificial general intelligence, and artificial superintelligence help prevent misunderstandings about what existing systems can accomplish and which capabilities remain hypothetical.
• The emergence of Super Intelligence as terminology in U.S. federal policy also illustrates the importance of distinguishing political or administrative language from scientific definitions, particularly when information must be communicated across national and international boundaries.