1 EXHIBIT 5.1 LAW OFFICES NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH, L.L.P. A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP KEENAN BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR OTHER OFFICES: 1330 LADY STREET Atlanta, Georgia POST OFFICE BOX 11070 (29211) Charleston, South Carolina COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29201 Charlotte, North Carolina TELEPHONE (803) 799-2000 Greenville, South Carolina FACSIMILE (803) 256-7500 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina www.nmrs.com July 25, 1997 Intelligent Systems Corporation 4355 Shackleford Road Norcross, GA 30093 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of 275,000 additional shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Shares"), which may be offered for sale pursuant to the Company's 1991 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"). We have also examined the Incentive Plan and the proceedings taken by you in connection with the adoption of the amendment to the Incentive Plan and the sale and issuance of the Shares under the Incentive Plan. It is our opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in the Incentive Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. This opinion is being furnished to you solely in connection with the issuance of the Shares, and is not to be relied upon by any other person. The opinions expressed herein are rendered and speak only as of the date hereof, and we specifically disclaim any undertaking to update such opinion or to advise you of subsequent developments affecting the same that hereafter may come to our attention. We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH, L.L.P.