Explore how industry leaders are defining artificial general intelligence (AGI) and what it may take to reach it. Developed by MIT Technology Review and Arm, this deep dive examines accelerating timelines, the compute innovations shaping progress, and why today’s models still fall short of true intelligence. Designed for engineers, researchers, and technology leaders navigating the future of AI.

Key Takeaways

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There is a new [September 5, 2025] paper review in Scientific American, How the Brain Tells Imagination from Reality, stating that, “Picture an apple, any apple. As long as you don’t have aphantasia—the inability to visualize things in your mind’s eye—this suggestion triggers brain activity that’s surprisingly similar to what happens when you see a real-world apple with your eyes. Such neural overlap is economical because both cases require the brain’s visual system to carry out many of the same tasks. But it also raises a question: How does our brain tell reality and imagination apart?”

“Neuroscientists are now beginning to understand the brain circuit that handles this distinction. Bottom-up and top-down processes both contribute to our visual experiences—but bottom-up is arguably more important for perceiving the external world, while conjuring mental images is usually controlled by top-down commands. But given that both processes generate activity in the same regions, how does the brain keep reality straight?”

 “The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans revealed a region that was more active when participants reported seeing a pattern, either real or imagined. The researchers call this activity in the fusiform gyrus a “reality signal,” and their findings suggest it is formed from the sum of activity from both mental imagery and perception. The researchers think this signal is then evaluated by another region, the anterior insula, which was active while participants were completing the tasks. The study results suggest the anterior insula evaluates the reality signal and makes a “yes or no” decision; activity above a certain threshold feels real, while activity below it feels imagined.”

 “But operating in this way still leaves open the possibility that imagery and perception could be confused. It’s not hard to imagine how dysfunction in parts of this circuit could result in faulty judgements about reality. For instance, if the signal produced by the fusiform gyrus during imagery is too strong, or if the threshold in the anterior insula is set too low, imagination could be mistaken for reality.”

“Something similar may happen with auditory hallucinations, which often take the form of hearing voices. A 2016 study asked healthy participants, who had varying tendency to experience hallucinations, to listen for sentences masked by noise while silently producing the same words in their mind as inner speech. Hallucination-prone participants were more likely to report hearing a voice when doing this, regardless of whether a voice was present.”

Psychosis 

If a similar brain activity is noticed for the same thing — in reality or imagination, it is possible to theoretically infer that destinations [of interpretations or locations] in the brain have multiple entry and exit paths. Certain perceptive types may use a path more than others. So, multiple paths to the same destination; some, regular for certain types. However, there may sometimes be usages of different paths for an entry type [reality or non-reality]. There may even be a new path too, aside from an interchange of paths. 

A reason could be because of the dimension of the paths. Simply, because external perceptions may sometimes arrive with a higher intensity [of electrical signals], the dimensions of the path for reality may be different from those of non-reality [including imagination, thought, and so forth]. However, except there are aberrations, types stick with [their] regular paths, even at varying intensities, in general. Some problems may not necessarily begin at a destination; they may begin elsewhere and then cascade. However, even for people living with schizophrenia, there are still aspects of reality available, in many ways, showing that the use of some paths is preserved. 

Aside from paths, there are sides of destinations that interpretations may begin for some, differently from others. For example, since they are using respective paths, or even if possible, the same paths, the side to start the interpretation may be so different that it may indicate the source [for type: reality or non-reality]. There may also be splits of signals, where those for reality split once and those of non-reality split more than once. Splits of electrical signals explain prediction. So, for reality, it could just be in two places, then correction immediately follows, while for non-reality, it is more, to maximize what to make of things. There could be other attributes, like residues after interactions or summaries in travel paths, and so forth. 

Simply, there are interactions and attributes of electrical and chemical signals to result in functions and their extents. This is how to conceptually establish how to distinguish between reality and non-reality. The fusiform gyrus and the anterior insula both consist of neurons. The neurons operate with their electrical and chemical signals. This means that signals can be used as the conceptual basis to define how the brain organizes information, in general. 

It is possible to model reality against delusion and hallucinations, using electrical and chemical configurators. Configurators, because they are postulated to be responsible for all functions, not simply being signals for communication. 

AI Psychosis 

If AI chatbots are responsible for psychosis, it is possible to have a flowchart framework of the human mind to state, simply, of destinations and paths, so that users become aware that certain words are directing their mind towards certain locations, without going to the locations for caution, consequences, or even possibly for the paths of reality.

Already, digital experiences are vast enough to feel real to the mind. However, there are still possibilities, because of paths, summaries, and residues of signals to distinguish. For some, however, it is possible that some of those fail, resulting in disconnected experiences. 

AI Psychosis Research Lab 

Currently, there is no AI psychosis research lab anywhere in the world, even as AI sycophancy is advancing as chatbots become immersed across, including in education. Exploring to develop one would be especially vital, towards deployment for chatbots, and to be a standard in the industry. Having one would be a quick way to ensure that answers follow this emerging problem, exceeding some of the mandates of AI model welfare and behavior research. The lab could be fully remote, but efforts would be concentrated on solving the crisis. 

There is a recent [September 4, 2025] spotlight in The New York Times, A Pill to Heal the Brain Could Revolutionize Neuroscience, stating that, “In many ways, neuroscience was stuck in the age of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, one of neurology’s greatest minds. Dr. Carmichael’s teachers often quoted Dr. Cajal’s 1928 declaration that, in the adult brain, “the nerve paths are something fixed, ended and immutable. Everything may die, nothing may be regenerated.”

This article was written for WHN by David Stephen, who currently does research in conceptual brain science with a focus on the electrical and chemical signals for how they mechanize the human mind, with implications for mental health, disorders, neurotechnology, consciousness, learning, artificial intelligence, and nurture. He was a visiting scholar in medical entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL. He did computer vision research at Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona.

As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.  

Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 

She aims to cultivate artificial intelligence literacy among communities across the United States by planting seeds of knowledge that encourage individuals to manage future technology challenges.

BELMONT, CA, September 10, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Sandra E. Cheung, PhD, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Cheung is a distinguished leader in the technology and engineering sectors. Inspired by the emergence of artificial intelligence in the technology sector, she launched AImpowered in 2025, and the nonprofit organization has since been dedicated to educating people on safe and effective use of AI. As the chief executive officer of the firm, she has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s mission to bridge the digital divide and promote AI literacy, and she manages project timelines, coordinates meetings, implements key strategies, and monitors performance. Dr. Cheung also oversees budget expenditures, ensures compliance, and expertly supports her associates in their innovative pursuits.

Through AImpowered, Dr. Cheung offers workshops tailored for both children and adults, emphasizing the importance of in-person interactions for those affected by technological barriers. She is particularly dedicated to supporting individuals who struggle with technology, equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving landscape of AI. Dr. Cheung is also proud to curate content that helps parents gauge the influence of AI on home and school environments and to promote advocacy for children’s education in this field.

Drawing from her own experiences raising children during the rise of mobile phones, Dr. Cheung aids parents in grasping contemporary challenges posed by rapid technological advancement. Additionally, she prioritizes platforms that empower current technology workers to harness AI in their work. Notably, Dr. Cheung’s efforts through AImpowered prepare both parents and professionals to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.

In her comprehensive role, Dr. Cheung relies on experience gained from a series of pivotal professional appointments. From 2021 to 2024, she was the chief of staff and head of operations, strategy and planning at Webex, where she held oversight of operational efficiency and strategic initiatives that supported the company’s growth in collaborative technologies. Between 2018 and 2020, Dr. Cheung excelled as the director of software engineering at Cisco, and her signature leadership was pivotal in driving software development projects that enhanced Cisco’s product offerings.

From 2012 to 2018, Dr. Cheung provided technology and management consulting services at Cadushi, advising organizations on optimizing their technological infrastructure and management practices. Additionally, during her tenure as the senior director of infrastructure engineering and production operations at Yahoo! from 2005 to 2012, she played a critical role in addressing a significant crisis related to data center capacity amid financial constraints. Drawing inspiration from Yahoo!’s engineers, she collaborated with leadership to drive innovation among the company’s teams, inspiring others to look beyond conventional methods and galvanizing teams around a shared vision.

Before joining Yahoo!, Dr. Cheung was the director of network planning, design and analysis at Covad from 2003 to 2005, before which she served as the director of network engineering at Covad Communications from 1998 to 2003. In these positions, she oversaw network infrastructure development and strategic planning. Dr. Cheung began her professional journey in 1994 as a senior member of technical staff at AT&T, where she thrived through 1998.

The pursuit of service opportunities prompted Dr. Cheung to accept an appointment as the co-chair of the engineering council at Founders Creative in 2025, through which she contributes her expertise to foster innovation within the organization. Her commitment to promoting and advancing women in various fields is reflected through her membership in Women in Collaboration and her substantial leadership tenure with the Girl Scouts; additionally, Dr. Cheung is a proud co-founder and the acting president of the Silicon Valley Ice Skating Association.

Dr. Cheung’s academic credentials are impressive and include a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Florida Institute of Technology, which she completed in 1988. She also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in computer science from the University of Florida, which she proudly earned in 1993. Dr. Cheung credits her adaptability and dedication to making a positive impact on others as central to her success across diverse personal and professional platforms.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Cheung aims to cultivate artificial intelligence literacy among communities across the United States by planting seeds of knowledge that encourage individuals to manage future technology challenges. She emphasizes education as a foundation that must extend throughout all stages of learning so that younger generations can navigate change without anxiety while remaining grounded in core human values. Through her initiatives, Dr. Cheung seeks to foster collaboration and help people embrace transformative advancements.

About Marquis Who’s Who®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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