There are many ways that the human brain differs from a computer logic board, even though the two are often compared:


  • Both send and receive information
  • Both use electrical signals to send messages
  • Both have memory that can grow
  • Both can adapt and learn
  • Both need energy
  • Both have evolved over time
  • Both can be damaged
  • Both can do math and logical tasks
  • Both are studied by scientists
  • The brain uses neurons and synapses that have an action potential, while computers use electrical relays that are either open or closed
  • The brain uses chemicals for transmission, while computers use electricity
  • The brain uses strong synaptic connections, while computers use memory chips
  • The brain is quicker at this than a computer, while a computer can process complex tasks faster
  • The brain requires nutrients that the body converts to energy, while computers require electricity
  • The brain has developed over millennia, while the computer has only been around a number of decades
  • The brain has built in backup systems where one synaptic pathway can take over for a damaged one, while a computer is easier to fix with new parts
  • The brain is better at interpreting results, while a computer is faster at computations
  • The brain is not well understood by science, while computers are


In a similar fashion, artificial intelligence is compared to human intelligence even though there are many differences:


  • Both recognize emotions
  • Both learn
  • Both analyze
  • Both create
  • Both choose
  • Both are aware
  • Humans can feel emotions, while AI can only be aware of them
  • Humans learn from experience, while AI can only learn from collected data
  • Humans seek meaning from experiences, while AI can only follow instructions
  • Humans create unique items and experiences, while AI can only re-create what has already been created
  • Humans have free-will, while AI can only choose what is available within its parameters
  • Humans are self-aware, while AI can only recognize itself when programmed to do so


Human intelligence is vastly superior to artificial intelligence in many different ways. Humans can learn from a very small amount of information, while AI needs copious amounts of information to learn. Humans can imagine things, ideas and situations based on experiential learning, while AI can only recite what it already knows. Humans also receive and quickly integrate information from our senses and use that to make decisions. This information comes from our sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. This information all comes together in, what seems like, a flash. We quickly arrive at a coherent understanding of where we are and what is happening in the environment around us. AI equipped with sensors doesn't have the ability to emulate this. Our autonomic nervous system keeps us breathing, our blood circulating and endocrine system operating all while we are reading this article. AI has nothing that can compare.