Final answer:
General artificial intelligence differs from today's AI by its ability to perform a wide range of tasks and exhibit human-like intelligence, unlike current AI that is task-specific and without human-like consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that make a general artificial intelligence different from most of today's artificial intelligence are its ability to perform a wide range of tasks and exhibit human-like intelligence. Today's AI is mostly designed for specific tasks and doesn't possess human-like consciousness or intent. General AI, on the other hand, would be capable of understanding and learning any intellectual task that a human being can. It is a theoretical concept that includes not only technical skills but also the autonomy and self-awareness that would allow AI to apply intelligence in a variety of contexts.
Current AI can be categorized into reactive machines, limited memory, theory of mind, and self-aware stages. Most current AI we encounter is either reactive or has limited memory and is used in industries like automotive for self-driving cars and personal assistance for virtual butlers. The conversation around general AI also involves ethical considerations and governance, as well as concerns about job loss, privacy infringement, and control over the technology.
Finally, the philosophical and ethical implications of AI, such as whether a non-organic machine with human intelligence is possible and how to handle the rights and treatment of intelligent systems, remain at the forefront of debates in the field of artificial intelligence.