The Future with Hannah Fry · Series 2 · Episode 1
The Future with Hannah Fry, Superintelligence: what the evidence says about artificial superintelligence
What the episode covers, where artificial superintelligence stands on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.
What it covers
About the episode
Hannah Fry explores the promises and the threats of AI and of superintelligence: machines that could one day be far more capable than any person.
- Broadcaster
- Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)
- Made by
- Bloomberg Media with Windfall Films
- Distributed by
- TVF International
- Episode
- Series 2, episode 1
Official episode page (Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)) · More about the series
What the evidence says
Where artificial superintelligence stands in 2026
The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.
- Technology · IntelligenceArtificial Super Intelligence
Artificial superintelligence is an AI far smarter than any person. It is only a theory, and none exists.
- Expected wide use
- 2046
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 1 of 9
- Technology · IntelligenceArtificial General Intelligence
Artificial general intelligence is a machine that could do any thinking task a person can. It does not exist yet, and experts disagree on when it might.
- Expected wide use
- 2033
- Status in 2026
- Explore
- Readiness
- TRL 3 of 9
- Technology · IntelligenceAgentic Artificial Intelligence
Agentic AI describes AI systems that can decide and act on their own to reach a goal. They change what they do as they go and need little human help.
- Expected wide use
- 2028
- Status in 2026
- Prepare
- Readiness
- TRL 8 of 9
- Trend · TechnologicalArtificial Intelligence
- Expected wide use
- 2024
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · R&D TrendsAI Accelerated Science
- Expected wide use
- 2030
- Status in 2026
- Prepare
Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.
311 analysis
What leaders should take from it
- Separate today's AI from superintelligence: agentic AI is arriving this decade, superintelligence remains a theory.
- Put AI governance on the board agenda now, while the systems you use are still manageable.
- Plan for AI that speeds up research and discovery in your sector; that is where the evidence points next.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Next steps
Take this subject to your leadership team
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Answers
Common questions
Is superintelligence coming?
No superintelligent AI exists. The 311 Starburst places artificial super intelligence in its Watch ring, with expected wide use in 2046, and artificial general intelligence in Explore, in 2033.
What is the difference between AGI and superintelligence?
Artificial general intelligence would match people across most tasks. Superintelligence would far exceed them. Both are forecasts, not products.
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