Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, from healthcare to finance. But do you understand the different types of AI? Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or simply curious about AI, this guide breaks down the five main types of AI with examples. It also explores how many types of AI exist and delves into the four types shaping our future.
So, what exactly defines an AI type? How many types of AI exist? Which ones power today’s most advanced technologies, such as ChatGPT, Siri, and Citi’s intelligent platforms?
By the end, you’ll know:
✔ What are the 4 types of artificial intelligence and their key differences?
✔ What are the four classes of artificial intelligence used at Citi?
✔ Is Siri an AI? What type of AI is ChatGPT?
✔ And much more!
Let’s dive in.
Understanding Artificial Intelligence: A Quick Overview
Before exploring the three types of artificial intelligence and the four major AI models, it is important to define AI. AI refers to machines designed to mimic human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
So, how many types of AI are there? Experts categorize AI in multiple ways.
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By capability (Narrow AI, General AI, Super AI)
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By functionality (Reactive, Limited Memory, Theory of Mind, Self-Aware)
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By application (Generative AI, Predictive AI, etc.)
We’ll cover all these classifications, including the five main types of AI with examples, as well as the two types of AI you encounter daily.
Understanding the Core Types of Artificial Intelligence
1. Narrow AI (Weak AI) – The Most Common Type Today
When most people think of AI, they’re usually interacting with narrow AI, also known as weak AI. This type of AI is designed to perform specific tasks and does not possess consciousness or general cognitive abilities.
Examples include:
- Voice assistants like Siri or Alexa
- Chatbots used for customer service
- Recommendation engines on Netflix or Amazon
These systems excel in their designated functions but cannot reason beyond their programming.
🤔 Have you ever wondered how your streaming platform knows exactly what you want to watch next? That’s Narrow AI at work.
2. General AI (Strong AI): Still Theoretical, but Highly Anticipated
General AI, also known as strong AI, refers to machines that can perform any intellectual task that humans can. Unlike narrow AI, general AI would be capable of learning, reasoning, and applying knowledge across various domains.
Although it is still theoretical, many experts believe that achieving true general AI is decades away. Nevertheless, research institutions and tech giants are investing heavily in developing systems that can replicate human-like understanding and adaptability.
3. Superintelligence – The Hypothetical Future of AI
Beyond general AI lies superintelligence: a form of AI that surpasses human intelligence in every aspect, including creativity, problem-solving, and emotional understanding. This concept is largely speculative and is often explored in science fiction. However, serious thinkers like Nick Bostrom warn of its potential risks if it is not controlled responsibly.
How These Types of AI Influence Real-World Industries
Narrow AI in Healthcare
Hospitals and clinics use it for diagnostics, such as analyzing X-rays or detecting anomalies in MRI scans. For example, IBM Watson Health assists doctors by processing vast amounts of medical data to suggest possible diagnoses.
General AI in Education
Although General AI in education has not yet been fully realized, its potential is immense. Imagine a virtual tutor that adapts to each student’s learning style, pace, and interests, offering personalized instruction in real time.
Superintelligence in Scientific Research
If developed, superintelligence could revolutionize scientific discovery. It could simulate complex biological systems, accelerate drug development, and solve climate modeling puzzles that have eluded humans for years.
What are the types of artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence can be classified based on functionality, capabilities, and learning methods. The most widely accepted classification includes four types, though some categorizations expand this to five main types depending on the theoretical framework used.
1. Reactive Machines (Type 1)
These are the simplest form of AI—machines that react to current data without memory. Think of IBM’s Deep Blue chess computer. It could analyze moves, but it could not learn from past games.
Example: Netflix recommendation engine (simplified version).
2. Limited Memory (Type 2)
This is where most modern AI operates. These systems can retain data for short periods in order to make decisions. Self-driving cars, for instance, use limited memory to track vehicle speed, road conditions, and nearby objects.
Example: Autonomous vehicles by Tesla.
3. Theory of Mind (Type 3)
This AI is still under development and would understand human emotions, beliefs, and social cues. This technology is crucial for future applications in mental health, education, and customer service.
Example: Emotional chatbots are designed to detect user moods.
4. Self-Awareness (Type 4)
The most advanced and theoretical form of AI. These machines would possess consciousness and self-awareness, allowing them to make independent decisions. This level remains speculative and raises ethical concerns.
Example: Science fiction robots, such as Data from Star Trek.
Some frameworks also include a fifth category, Function-Based Classification, which leads to the five main types of artificial intelligence:
5. Function-Based AI Types
- Analytical AI: Focuses on logic and problem-solving.
- Human-Inspired AI: Incorporates emotional and cognitive elements.
- Humanized AI: Mimics human behavior and decision-making.
This classification helps us understand AI from a functional standpoint, especially when designing systems for specific tasks.
4 Types of Artificial Intelligence With Examples
To better understand these categories, let’s examine each one with real-life examples.
Type 1: Reactive Machines
- Use Case: Game-playing AI
- Example: IBM’s Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in chess using only current inputs.
Type 2: Limited Memory
- Use Case: Autonomous driving
- Example: Waymo’s self-driving cars use real-time data to navigate traffic.
Type 3: Theory of Mind
- Use Case: Mental health assistants
- Example: Woebot, an AI therapist app that adapts responses based on user sentiment.
Type 4: Self-Awareness
- Use Case: Future AI companions
- Example: Fictional characters like Ava from Ex Machina.
5 Main Types of Artificial Intelligence With Examples
Another way to classify AI is by function and application. This gives us the five main types of artificial intelligence, along with examples:
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Example: Google’s search algorithms
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Example: ChatGPT, Siri
- Computer Vision
- Example: Facial recognition systems
- Robotics
- Example: Amazon warehouse bots
- Expert Systems
- Example: Medical diagnosis tools
This breakdown is useful for developers and marketers who want to implement AI solutions tailored to their business needs.
The 4 Types of Artificial Intelligence (By Functionality)
One of the most common classifications comes from AI researcher Arend Hintze, who defined the 4 types of AI:
1. Reactive Machines
Description: The simplest form of AI that reacts to inputs without memory or learning.
Examples:
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IBM’s Deep Blue (beat chess champion Garry Kasparov)
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Netflix’s recommendation engine (suggests shows based on viewing history) 13
Why it matters: These systems excel at specific tasks but can’t adapt beyond their programming.
2. Limited Memory AI
What it is: AI that learns from past data to make better decisions.
Examples:
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Self-driving cars (analyze traffic patterns)
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ChatGPT & Google Gemini (use past interactions to refine responses) 38
Did you know? Most AI today, including what type of AI ChatGPT is, falls under this category.
3. Theory of Mind AI (Future Tech)
What it is: AI that understands emotions, beliefs, and social interactions (still in development).
Examples:
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Sophia the Robot (recognizes facial expressions)
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Emotion AI (used in customer service bots) 68
Why it’s exciting: This could revolutionize human-AI collaboration.
4. Self-Aware AI (Purely Theoretical)
What it is: AI with consciousness, desires, and self-understanding.
Examples: None yet—this is sci-fi territory!
Fun fact: Although self-aware AI is one of the four types of artificial intelligence, we’re decades away from achieving it.
The 5 Main Types of Artificial Intelligence (By Capability)
Another way to classify AI is by its intelligence level:
1. Narrow AI (Weak AI)
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What it does: Performs a single task (e.g., facial recognition).
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Examples: Siri, Alexa, spam filters.
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Is Siri an AI? Yes—but only a narrow one! 58
2. General AI (Strong AI)
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What it does: Thinks like a human (still theoretical).
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Example: A robot that cooks, cleans, and debates philosophy.
3. Super AI
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What it does: Surpasses human intelligence in all areas.
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Example: Think Skynet from Terminator—but not real yet!
4. Generative AI vs. AI
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Generative AI (like ChatGPT) creates new content.
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Traditional AI follows pre-set rules.
5. The 4 Major AI Models
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GPT-4 (text generation)
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BERT (search optimization)
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DALL-E (image creation)
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CLIP (image-text understanding)
The 3 Main Types of Artificial Intelligence
AI can be classified into three broad categories based on its capabilities:
1. Narrow AI (Artificial Narrow Intelligence – ANI)
Narrow AI, also known as Weak AI, is the most common form of AI today. It’s designed to perform specific tasks without human-like consciousness.
🔹 Examples of Narrow AI:
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ChatGPT (generative AI for text)
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Siri & Alexa (voice assistants)
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Recommendation algorithms (Netflix, Amazon)
🔹 Why is Narrow AI important?
It excels at specific tasks, which makes it invaluable in industries such as healthcare (diagnostics), finance (fraud detection), and marketing (personalized ads).
❓ Have you ever noticed how Spotify suggests songs you love? That’s Narrow AI at work!
2. General AI (Artificial General Intelligence – AGI)
General AI (AGI) refers to machines that can think, learn, and reason like humans across multiple domains. Unlike narrow AI, general AI doesn’t just follow pre-programmed rules; it adapts.
🔹 Current Status:
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Still theoretical (no true AGI exists yet)
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Requires human-like cognitive abilities, including problem-solving and emotional intelligence
🔹 Potential Applications:
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Fully autonomous robots
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AI that can debate philosophy or create original art
❓ Could an AGI robot become your next coworker? Scientists predict AGI may emerge by 2045!
3. Super AI (Artificial Superintelligence – ASI)
Super AI surpasses human intelligence in every way: creativity, problem solving, and emotional understanding. While it’s the stuff of science fiction, it also raises ethical concerns.
🔹 Key Questions Around Super AI:
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Could it outsmart humanity?
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Should there be global regulations?
🔹 Why It Matters:
ASI could solve global crises such as climate change and disease, but it could also pose an existential risk if it is misaligned with human values.
Real-World applications of different AI types
| AI Type | Industry Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow AI | Healthcare (diagnostics) | IBM Watson diagnosing cancer |
| General AI | Research & development | AI scientists in labs |
| Super AI | Global problem-solving | Hypothetical climate solutions |
The Future of AI: What’s Next?
🔹 AI in 2025 and Beyond:
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Generative AI (like ChatGPT) will dominate content creation
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Ethical AI will become a major focus (bias reduction, transparency)
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AI-powered search engines (like Google’s AI Overviews) will change SEO strategies
❓ Will AI replace jobs—or create new ones?
How many types of artificial intelligence are there?
The answer depends on the classification method used. Most experts agree that there are four types of artificial intelligence based on capability. However, if you consider functional roles, the number increases to five main types.
Some frameworks even break it down into 2 types of AI :
- Weak/Narrow AI: Designed for specific tasks (e.g., Alexa).
- Strong/General AI: Capable of any intellectual task a human can do (still theoretical).
For practical purposes, we recommend focusing on the four types of artificial intelligence and their business applications.
What Are the Four Classes of Artificial Intelligence Used at Citi?
At major institutions like Citi, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a critical role in risk management, fraud detection, and personalized banking services. Citi uses four classes of artificial intelligence:
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Dynamic AI – Adapts in real-time (e.g., fraud detection).
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Auto AI – Automates complex data tasks.
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Static AI – Fixed rules (e.g., loan approvals).
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Cognitive AI – Mimics human decision-making.
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Predictive Analytics: Forecasting market trends.
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Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Automating back-office operations.
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Natural Language Generation (NLG): Creating financial reports.
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AI-Powered Chatbots: Enhancing customer support.
These classifications demonstrate the application of AI on a large scale in enterprise environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the 4 types of artificial intelligence?
The four types are: Reactive Machines, Limited Memory, Theory of Mind, and Self-Awareness.
How many types of AI are there in total?
There are 4 main types based on capability, though some frameworks expand this to 5 based on function.
Which type of AI is the most common?
Narrow AI (also known as weak AI) is the most prevalent and is used in virtual assistants, recommendation engines, and chatbots.
What are the main 7 areas of artificial intelligence?
They include machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, computer vision, expert systems, speech recognition, and planning and scheduling.
What are the 4 major AI models?
Supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning.
Is Siri an AI?
Yes, it uses AI, specifically natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), to understand and respond to voice commands.
What type of AI is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a generative AI model based on the Transformer architecture that is designed for natural language understanding and generation.
What is the difference between generative AI and traditional AI?
Generative AI creates new content, such as text and images, while traditional AI focuses on analysis, prediction, and automation.
What are the 4 types of learning in AI?
Supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning.
What are the 4 perspectives of AI?
Technical, ethical, economic, and social.
What are the 5 agents of AI?
Simple reflex agents, model-based reflex agents, goal-based agents, utility-based agents, and learning agents.
What are the 3 types of AI?
The three main types are narrow AI (ANI), general AI (AGI), and super AI (ASI).
Which AI type is most common today?
Narrow AI, exemplified by Siri and ChatGPT, is currently the only type in use.
Can AI become self-aware?
Not yet. Self-aware AI remains theoretical and raises ethical questions.
How does AI impact SEO in 2025?
AI-generated answers, like Google’s AI Overviews, are reducing clicks to websites. This forces marketers to adapt using a strategy called Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).
What’s the difference between Machine Learning and AI?
Machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI that focuses on learning from data, while AI encompasses broader intelligence.
Conclusion
Understanding the types of artificial intelligence is not just an academic exercise; it’s a strategic imperative for businesses, developers, and consumers. Whether you’re exploring the five main types of artificial intelligence or the four types, this knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions.
Have you implemented any of these types of AI in your organization? Which has been the most impactful? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this guide with your team.
Final Thoughts
From the 3 types of artificial intelligence in use today to the five main types shaping research, AI is evolving quickly. Questions such as generative AI vs. AI, the four classes of artificial intelligence used at Citi, and how many types of artificial intelligence exist highlight AI’s complexity.
Want to dive deeper? Download our Types of Artificial Intelligence PDF guide for a full breakdown!