Understanding AGI: The Essential Insights You Can’t Overlook

Editor’s Note: The rapid evolution of AI is reshaping our lives. We are approaching the next frontier: artificial general intelligence (AGI).

So, what is AGI? Why does it matter? What risks and opportunities does it present? Colleague Eric Fry will address these questions in his upcoming video, The Road to AGI Summit.

Last summer, Eric cautioned that we were closer to AGI than many believed. Now, as the momentum builds, he returns with his final warning, detailing the unique opportunities AGI offers to investors. I’ll let Eric explain further.

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Hello, Reader.

Imagine if transportation had evolved exponentially instead of linearly. In a linear timeline, we advanced from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles, then to planes and space travel.

In an exponential scenario, we might have leaped from horse-drawn carriages directly to time travel. This analogy reflects our current journey with artificial intelligence.

As of February, ChatGPT boasted 400 million weekly active users. By mid-April, user numbers had doubled to 800 million.

These figures were revealed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during an on-stage discussion at TED 2025 on April 11, proclaiming, “Something like 10% of the world uses our systems now.”

This represents exponential growth on top of the already rapid adoption rate.

Market research firm DemandSage reported that between December 2024 and February 2025, ChatGPT’s user base increased by 33% (from 300 million to 400 million), up from a “base” of 50 million users in January 2023.

Here is a table showing DemandSage’s estimates for ChatGPT’s weekly active users:

Month	ChatGPT’s Weekly Active Users
April 2025	800 million
February 2025	400 million
December 2024	300 million
October 2024	250 million
August 2024	200 million
August 2023	100 million
January 2023	50 million

Clearly, this AI assistant is gaining traction and becoming widespread, with many of us using ChatGPT regularly.

It’s worth noting that AI experts categorize ChatGPT and similar technologies as “weak.” More broadly, they refer to all AI implementations, like virtual assistants and image generators, as “artificial narrow intelligence” (ANI).

This designation focuses on the system’s limitations rather than its efficiency, popularity, or correctness. ANI operates within a defined scope and excels in its chosen tasks without extending its capabilities.

Nonetheless, this “weak” AI is advancing at an extraordinary pace. Major companies such as Alphabet Inc. (GOOG), Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Meta Platforms Inc. (META), and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) are heavily investing in its development.

This year, these firms are expected to invest approximately $325 billion in data centers and AI infrastructure, an increase of nearly $100 billion from last year’s $230 billion.

That trend indicates we are nearing a tipping point where future developments will dramatically differ from past ones.

At this tipping point, ANI will begin to resemble what experts define as “strong” AI or AGI.

In this edition of Smart Money, I will clarify what AGI means and outline our journey toward its realization.

Moreover, I will illustrate how you can prepare for its impending impact. Time is still on your side to make strategic investments before widespread adoption occurs—but the window is closing.

Consider this a significant warning regarding AGI.

Let’s move forward.

The ANI to AGI Transition

The “weak” AI systems we currently use, such as ChatGPT and Siri, require user prompts to function. In contrast, AGI will operate independently.

To grasp the difference, think of a pocket calculator. A calculator remains inactive until you input numbers. Now envision a calculator that operates autonomously, identifying problems and performing myriad calculations without your intervention.

This technology wouldn’t wait for input; instead, it would define both the issues and solutions. This scenario illustrates the potential of AGI.

AGI refers to AI systems that can autonomously program themselves, engage in mutual training, and achieve objectives without human comprehension of their methods.

While this advancement may evoke concerns, it also brings remarkable opportunities.

The Transformative Potential of AGI

AGI will have the capacity to uncover problems and devise solutions beyond our current imagination.

This technology may develop groundbreaking medical treatments and unravel scientific enigmas that remain unsolved today.

As a result, the world could be virtually unrecognizable in just a few years. This transformation is not only inevitable but also accelerating.

In August, I hosted an important event titled The Road to AGI Summit, where I emphasized our closer proximity to AGI than many realize. The changes ahead may be profound and often underestimated.

At that time, only a handful were aware of AGI. Now, the race to realize its potential has intensified, particularly under the current administration.

On his second term’s first day, President Donald Trump announced the ambitious $500 billion Stargate project, featuring collaboration among OpenAI, Oracle Corp. (ORCL), and SoftBank Group Corp. (SFTBY). This initiative stands as the largest AI infrastructure project ever undertaken.

This marked the moment AGI entered the mainstream discourse.

In a statement regarding the Stargate Project, OpenAI noted:

All of us look forward to continuing to build and develop AI – and in particular AGI – for the benefit of all of humanity. We believe that this new,…