Systems Intelligence: Theory and Application

Maier, J.R.A, 2000, “Systems Intelligence: Theory and Application,” Proceedings of International Society for the Systems Sciences 42^nd annual meeting, Toronto, Canada.

Abstract

The idea of intelligence has fascinated the human race from theologians to computer scientists to sociologists. And with the advent of the computer revolution, the dream of endowing our machines with intelligence has become a major goal of computer science and robotics. However, when viewed from a systems perspective, there are certain well understood structural factors that when properly implemented can make any system intelligent. In this paper a simple intuitive theory of intelligence is presented, including the structural factors necessary for intelligence in any system, along with metrics for qualifying and quantifying the level of intelligence in any system. Using this theory, the intelligence of a variety of systems is analyzed and explained. Systems intelligence is also applied to answer the question of what is life and it is shown how the general systems theory worldview can be modified to include concepts of systems intelligence and thereby become a more powerful and elegant thought paradigm.

Key words: Intelligence, systems, life, Internet.

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