Why I like the new name for AI, even though I'm not happy about it

October 9, 2026

I'm torn on this one.

First, I hate it because it feels like the Gulf of America. But I also really like it, both as a name and as a strategy.

Both of these reduce down to "artificial" being derogatory.

In the real internet of things I also used SI instead of AI, but there I called it "synthetic" intelligence instead of "artificial" intelligence. Same reason. Artificial is just a bad name for anything real. And AI is real.

I prefer the term "synthetic" vs. "artificial" intelligence, as its capabilities will end up being just as real as our own despite having non-biological origins.The Real Internet of Things (2016)

Strategically, I actually agree with Our Great Leader and others that Super Intelligence is far more optimistic, and descriptive. Basically better marketing. And marketing matters.

So I guess I like the proposed name. But I'm not happy about it.