This thesis argues against the claim that AI is intelligent due to instrumental rationality, refuting both the reduction and emergence thesis. It contends that intelligence cannot be reduced to instrumental rationality and highlights issues in AI development and application. Instead, it proposes the motivation adaptation approach, where intelligence arises from network of generative motivations and the ability to adapt. This alternative is conceptually intuitive, avoids counterexamples, and provides clear development goals and foundations for ethical development. Thus, the thesis concludes that (...) AI's intelligence is not due to instrumental rationality but rather its motivation adaptability. (shrink)