Philosopher on intelligence: “Intelligence is used to denounce groups”

taz: Ms. Schmalz, let's pretend to be completely stupid and ask: What is intelligence anyway?

Gisela Schmalz: There are many different definitions of intelligence, but also the intelligence quotient, which is determined using intelligence tests. And for this it is assumed that intelligence is composed of five cognitive abilities. In classic tests, these are linguistic ability, mathematical-logical ability, spatial thinking, working memory and speed of thinking.

taz: Isn't there a very reduced understanding of intelligence behind this?

Schmalz: Right. One could also speak of creative, social, emotional, critical or physical intelligence or out-of-the-box thinking skills. All of these are talents that also have to do with cognition. And I am committed to ensuring that this diversity of concepts of intelligence can be expressed.

born in 1970, is a philosopher and economist. She teaches digital business and management at the private Gisma University of Allied Sciences in Berlin, Potsdam and London and heads the “Artificial Intelligence Focus Group” at the German Society for Philosophy.

taz: Then why do you talk about the “fetish intelligence”? Isn't this a human quality like beauty? We all want to look good and think well.

Schmalz: Intelligence is definitely a good thing, but you shouldn't overuse this term. The problem is that the common definition of IQ intelligence is inflated. I defend myself against his independence; against the fact that the concept is replaced by people, as if it were a value in itself that is then fetishized.

taz: You also say that politics is made with this fetish. What do you mean by that?

Schmalz: On the one hand, I am referring to the education system, where the IQ test is used when children have learning problems. Then IQ becomes the criterion for allocating funding programs. It can be problematic if you start sorting children into good and bad very early on. And if children notice this, it can lead to self-stigmatization for them because they might see themselves as less intelligent and possibly even less valuable. On the other hand, abuse occurs when the supposedly lower intelligence of certain population groups is used to denounce them or treat them worse than other groups.

with Gisela Schmalz from her book “Fetish Intelligence” (Berlin Verlag 2026, 288 pages, 24 euros), moderated by taz author Frank Schäfer. September 14th, 7 p.m., Literaturhaus Hannover, Sophienstraße 2, entry: 15.48 euros, reduced price 8.24 euros

taz: And what do you mean when you talk about the “power of the term intelligence”?

Schmalz: If you exaggerate the concept of intelligence, the term gains power over us humans. Self-proclaimed intelligence researchers from the right-wing scene use this. They claim that IQ levels are primarily determined by genes rather than environmental factors. They also say that entire groups of people, which they incorrectly call races, have higher IQs than other groups or entire nations. Since, according to their logic, whites or men are better positioned in terms of intelligence, they should be encouraged and their birth rate increased. At the same time, it is pointless to provide education to population groups of different colors.

taz: The question of what intelligence actually is also plays a major role in the development of artificial intelligence.

Schmalz: The AI ​​industry is striving for superintelligence that goes beyond human cognitive abilities, including in terms of the amount and speed of processing. I advocate maintaining a sufficient critical distance from AI systems and dealing with the technology and the power structures behind it.

Schmalz: It is important to understand that AI systems are prediction machines. Data from the past is extrapolated into the future using probability calculations. Nothing more, nothing less. AI systems are not friends, they are not intelligent beings and should not be compared to humans. But companies that develop the systems naturally have an interest in this humanization because it allows them to sell their products better.