The Rapid Rise of AI: How Artificial Intelligence “Learned” 40 IQ Points in Just One Year
Let’s take a second to think about what it really means for an AI to jump from an IQ of 96 to 136 in a single year. That’s not just an upgrade, it’s like watching a high school sophomore suddenly start solving complex astrophysics equations and casually writing Shakespearean sonnets on the side!
AI hasn’t just improved. It’s evolving at a pace that’s starting to blur the line between machine intelligence and human potential.
But before we panic or start prepping for the robot uprising, let’s break down what’s actually happening, and what it means for all of us.
So… what exactly does an “AI IQ” mean?
Here’s the thing: AI doesn’t technically have an IQ in the same way people do. When you see headlines about an AI’s “IQ,” it’s really shorthand for performance on benchmark tests that mimic human problem-solving.
A score of 96? That’s about the average range for a human. But 136? That pushes into genius-level territory, ranking smarter than 98% of people.
It’s a flashy stat, but it boils down to this: today’s AI can process, analyze, and synthesize information faster and better than ever before…and it’s learning how to do things we didn’t even think were possible five years ago!
What changed in the last year?
The leap from 96 to 136 wasn’t magic. It was driven by a few massive shifts in how AI is trained:
Bigger models: Researchers have thrown more data and more computational power at AI than ever before. Think of it like giving someone access to every library, textbook, and expert in the world…and then speeding up their brain by 10x.
Better data: AI used to learn from pretty shallow data pools. Now? It’s slurping up high-quality academic journals, scientific papers, and industry knowledge. It’s not just memorizing Wikipedia, it’s absorbing peer-reviewed science.
More sophisticated training techniques: Engineers are using reinforcement learning and human feedback loops to “coach” AI systems, nudging them toward better answers and penalizing mistakes.
All of this together? It’s like the AI went from community college night classes to an intensive Ivy League bootcamp.
Check out my deep dive into how AI already outperforms doctors in analyzing certain medical images!!
Why does it matter that AI crossed this threshold?
When AI crossed the equivalent of 130+ IQ, it entered a weird space:
It can now reason and problem-solve in ways that were previously locked behind human intelligence.
It can generate new knowledge, not just summarize existing facts.
And it’s getting better at teaching itself, reducing the need for human intervention.
That last one? That’s the wild card. Once AI can self-improve, its growth may stop being linear…and start looking exponential.
But don’t freak out (yet)
I know this sounds like we’re on the edge of Skynet. But the truth is a lot messier and slower.
Yes, AI is smarter.
But it’s also still incredibly brittle. It can ace a math problem one second and totally misunderstand a simple question the next. It’s missing emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and contextual judgment, the things that make human intelligence so nuanced.
Think of it like a super-fast calculator that’s starting to figure out metaphors.
Cool? Yes.
Human? Not quite.
What could AI with a 136 IQ actually do?
Here’s where it gets fun (and a little scary):
In business: This level of AI could outperform human analysts in detecting market patterns, optimizing logistics, or writing reports. If you work in data-heavy fields, AI isn’t coming for your job tomorrow, but it’s definitely becoming a co-worker!
In science: We’re already seeing AI propose new protein structures for medicine, predict the next breakthrough materials, and generate hypotheses humans hadn’t even considered.
In creativity: AI can now draft stories, paint pictures, compose music, and mimic famous artistic styles. (Though whether it’s truly “creative” is still up for debate.)
And yes, there are risks. Deepfakes, misinformation, algorithmic bias…they’re all part of the package. Which is why researchers are racing to figure out how to align smarter AI with human values before it becomes a runaway train.
What’s next for AI?
Honestly? Nobody really knows. But here are a few predictions making waves:
Specialized AI: Instead of one giant AI doing everything, we’ll likely see more narrow AIs trained for specific industries (like legal research bots, medical diagnosis bots, and finance bots).
Human-AI collaboration: We’re entering an era where the best outcomes won’t be humans or AI…but humans with AI. The smartest people will be the ones who know how to use AI as a tool, not a replacement.
More regulations: As AI gets smarter, expect governments to crack down harder on how it’s used, who controls it, and what data it’s trained on.
Global AI races: Countries are already pouring billions into AI development. This isn’t just a tech trend, it’s becoming a geopolitical arms race. The next “Arms Race” might be more of an “AI Race” (and not the kind that happened in Beijing).
Why I’m watching this closely
Watching AI gain 40 IQ points in a year feels like watching a toddler suddenly speak in full paragraphs and do calculus by kindergarten. It’s exciting, unnerving, and completely impossible to ignore.
Whether AI becomes our greatest collaborator or our biggest headache will depend on how we shape it, right now, while it’s still learning from us.
And if nothing else? It’s a great reminder that the future isn’t just coming…it’s already here.
