The article discusses the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, focusing on the shift from narrow, task-specific models to more general and adaptable systems. It highlights recent breakthroughs in multimodal AI, which can process and generate information across text, images, and audio simultaneously. The piece examines the technical challenges involved, such as improving reasoning capabilities and reducing computational costs, while also considering the broader societal implications. Experts cited in the article debate the timeline for achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) and the need for robust safety and ethical frameworks as these powerful systems develop. For a complete analysis, read the full article at https://technologyreview.com/2024/05/ai-evolution-multimodal-systems.