For those seeking superlatives, “superintelligence” sounds great—smarter than smart; really really good. The reality is: Superintelligence is a theoretical future scenario in which artificial intelligence systems have not only achieved “general” intelligence, but far exceed the capacity of any human being, organization, or institution.

Artificial superintelligence, or ASI, would be effectively beyond human control, because it would be functionally impossible for human beings or institutions to understand how it works, or establish meaningful controls.

The Statement on Superintelligence responds to this unprecedented risk, by declaring concisely:

We call for a prohibition on the development of superintelligence, not lifted before there is: 

1. broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably, and
2. strong public buy-in.

As of October 6, 2026, the Statement on Superintelligence has 144,138 signatures.