AI vs Real Intelligence: Insights from Prof Elmasry

On 17 March 2025, ASM organised a Public Lecture titled “Artificial and Real Intelligence: The Future of Intelligence” by a leading microchip and artificial neural networks expert, Professor Dr Mohamed Elmasry.

ASM President, Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc in his welcome remarks, highlighted the promising future of AI in Malaysia, emphasising the government’s recent initiatives and collaborations. He remarked that the future of intelligence is not merely artificial; it has to be embedded with human intelligence.

In his two-hour public lecture session, Professor Elmasry emphasised that while AI can assist in complex tasks, it cannot replicate the full depth of human intelligence, which he terms ‘Real Intelligence’ (RI), in which only humans can discern nuances to provide a better result.

Acknowledging the importance of AI, he highlighted that RI should complement the development of AI. The lecture also explored the complexity of the human brain, which far surpasses any AI system. Though only 2% of body weight, the brain uses 20-40% of its blood supply to power its 100 billion neurons to process information and maintain bodily functions.

Watch the video of the public lecture on ASM’s Facebook page.