integroids

Integroids are a theoretical concept in the field of artificial intelligence and cognitive science, proposed as a hypothetical form of intelligence that bridges the gap between biological and artificial systems. The term was introduced by philosopher and cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett in his 2017 book *From Bacteria to Bach and Back*, though it has since been explored further by researchers in AI ethics, robotics, and synthetic biology. Integroids are envisioned as complex, self-organizing systems capable of exhibiting emergent intelligence through dynamic interactions between their components, rather than relying on predefined programming or rigid architectures.

The core idea behind integroids is that intelligence may not require a centralized control mechanism, as seen in traditional AI models, but could instead arise from decentralized, adaptive networks—similar to how biological systems like ecosystems or neural networks function. These systems would continuously evolve and self-assemble, learning and adapting through feedback loops and environmental interactions. Proponents argue that integroids could offer more robust, flexible, and resilient forms of intelligence compared to conventional AI, potentially enabling machines to solve problems in unpredictable or open-ended environments.

Critics of the concept highlight several challenges, including the difficulty of defining intelligence in non-biological systems, the ethical implications of creating autonomous, self-modifying entities, and the practical hurdles of designing such complex, emergent systems. While integroids remain largely speculative, research in swarm robotics, evolutionary algorithms, and synthetic biology occasionally explores principles that align with their theoretical framework. The concept also sparks broader discussions about the nature of intelligence, consciousness, and the boundaries between organic and artificial life.