  Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or Strong AI aims to create machines
with human-like or human-level intelligence, which is still a very ambitious
goal when compared to the existing computing and AI systems. After many hype
cycles and lessons from AI history, it is clear that a big conceptual leap is
needed for crossing the starting line to kick-start mainstream AGI research.
This position paper aims to make a small conceptual contribution toward
reaching that starting line. After a broad analysis of the AGI problem from
different perspectives, a system-theoretic and engineering-based research
approach is introduced, which builds upon the existing mainstream AI and
systems foundations. Several promising cross-fertilization opportunities
between systems disciplines and AI research are identified. Specific potential
research directions are discussed.
