Super Intelligence (SI)

In plain English

In research, super intelligence means a system that outperforms the best humans at almost every intellectual task: science, strategy, persuasion, engineering and more. The idea goes back to I. J. Good's 1965 essay on an "ultraintelligent machine" and was popularized by Nick Bostrom's 2014 book Superintelligence.

In 2026 the phrase gained a second, official meaning. Executive Order 14434, "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence", signed on September 29, 2026 and published in the Federal Register on October 2, tells federal agencies to say "Super Intelligence" and "SI" in place of the older term in their non statutory communications. Until Congress or a later order defines it, SI carries the meaning that 15 U.S.C. 9401(3) gives to artificial intelligence, a broad definition with no capability bar. Section 3(b) asks for proposed legislative language defining Super Intelligence within 60 days, about November 28, 2026. The order places no duties on companies.

Why it matters for rogue SI

Rogue SI only makes sense against SI itself. The renaming also shapes search: as officials, journalists and companies switch to SI, the vocabulary of risk, from alignment to kill switches, follows it.

Laws and rules that use it

• In force EO 14434 United States

Sources

1. Executive Order 14434 (2026) Federal Register
2. Executive Order 14434: Inaugurating The Era Of Super Intelligence The American Presidency Project · Sep 29, 2026