D. Hofstadter recalls his early understanding of computers and their rigidity. He believed that artificial intelligence was a fascinating but distant goal of making rigid systems act fluid. He never anticipated computers surpassing human intelligence, thinking it would take hundreds of years for them to even approach human capabilities. However, in recent decades, systems emerged that achieved feats previously thought impossible for computers, such as defeating chess and Go champions, translating languages, and writing poetry. This unforeseen progress has shaken Hofstadter’s core beliefs and instilled a sense of impending doom, unsure of when humanity may be eclipsed by a more intelligent force. The outcome could range from humanity’s destruction to simply being rendered insignificant compared to a superior intelligence.
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/kAmgdEjq2eYQkB5PP/douglas-hofstadter-changes-his-mind-on-deep-learning-and-ai