Large language models and similar systems are 'superpowered incarnations' of one crucial component of human cognition, but taking this capability to its limit does not substitute for missing components, and therefore simply scaling LLMs further is not a path to AGI (the 'swimming faster doesn't make you fly' argument).

causalpending

Speaker

David Autor

Evidence Quote

LMs and their ilk are superpowered incarnations of one incredibly important and powerful part of our cognition. The reason I say we're not on a glide path to AGI is that simply taking this capability to 11 does not substitute for the parts that are still missing. I just don't believe that swimming faster and faster allows you to fly.

Source

What Will AI Look Like in 2027? | InterviewHard Fork
Created: 8/11/2026, 7:28:11 AM

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