In today’s column, I examine the legendary claim that achieving AGI (artificial general intelligence) will be the last invention that humanity ever needs to make. The logic is that once we attain AGI, the AGI will discover all remaining undiscovered possible inventions for us. So, it’s an easy-peasy solution: humans craft one big invention, and all other future inventions will be a result of that momentous act.

If that’s true, what kinds of inventions might AGI figure out for us?

Let’s talk about it.

This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI, including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).

First, some fundamentals are required to set the stage for this weighty discussion.

There is a great deal of research going on to further advance AI. The general goal is to either reach artificial general intelligence (AGI) or maybe even the outstretched possibility of achieving artificial superintelligence (ASI).

AGI is AI that is considered on par with human intellect and can seemingly match our intelligence. ASI is AI that has gone beyond human intellect and would be superior in many if not all feasible ways. The idea is that ASI would be able to run circles around humans by outthinking us at every turn. For more details on the nature of conventional AI versus AGI and ASI, see my analysis at the link here.