# orthogonality

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/orthogonality
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

independence between two qualities; in AI, the idea that a system can have very high intelligence while pursuing completely arbitrary goals.

For teachers: geometric perpendicularity or mathematical independence; in AI theory, the thesis that an agent's capability level and its ultimate objective function can vary independently.

## Examples

- The lines crossed at right angles, showing perfect geometric orthogonality.
- The orthogonality thesis reminds us that a superintelligent AI will not automatically adopt human moral values.
- In vector space representations, high-dimensional orthogonality allows thousands of nearly independent feature directions to coexist without disruptive interference.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.