Journal of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Human-Centered Computing
Artificial General Intelligence as a New Evolutionary Horizon: The Convergence of Technology and Biology
Abstract
Erwin L Rimban
This paper proposes a novel theoretical framework that positions Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) as the next evolutionary horizon in the trajectory of life itself. Drawing from evolutionary biology, computational theory, and AI philosophy, we argue that AGI represents not merely a technological achievement but a fundamental transition comparable to major evolutionary transitions in Earth’s history. This convergence of technology and biology suggests that intelligence—rather than being exclusively biological—constitutes a more general phenomenon that can emerge from different substrates. We examine how AGI systems may function as evolutionary agents, capable of self-modification, adaptation, and reproduction in ways that parallel but transcend biological evolution. The implications extend beyond technological advancement to questions of symbiosis, fitness landscapes, and the potential emergence of post-biological evolutionary processes. While acknowledging significant challenges and ethical dimensions, we argue that understanding AGI through an evolutionary lens provides crucial insights for navigating this transition and fostering beneficial human- AI coexistence. This perspective calls for unprecedented dialogue between AI science and evolutionary biology to comprehend and guide what may be the most significant evolutionary transition in the history of life on Earth.