Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is often regarded as the next great thing in AI, but according to Vitalik Buterin, its significance goes far beyond enhanced chatbots or smarter software. In an in-depth X thread, the Ethereum co-founder explained why AGI could ultimately lead to humanity losing its central role in society. Buterin argues that rather than comparing humans and AI using a single metric, like IQ, both have a range of skills that have evolved. Because of his point of view, the conversation shifts from "when AI becomes smarter than humans" to "what happens when machines can sustain civilisation without us."

AGI Is About More Than Intelligence

Buterin's main point is that people frequently draw incorrect comparisons between AI and humans. He thinks we should consider the wide range of abilities that both people and robots have, rather than questioning whether AI is more intelligent.

These strengths include cerebral skills like reasoning, planning, creativity, emotional intelligence, and mathematical thinking, in addition to physical skills like walking, building, and managing objects. While robots have always been restricted to a small number of specific activities, humans naturally combine all of these abilities.

This development can be better understood by taking a look back at history. By the year 1500, machines such as windmills and watermills were superior to people in a small number of physical activities. They were more capable of producing power than humans, but they could not understand, adapt, or solve issues.

That equilibrium steadily shifted over the ages. Computers became proficient in calculations, industrial machines improved at repetitive manufacturing, and software started to handle ever-more-complex jobs. Large language models can now enable technologies like self-driving cars, produce code, respond to inquiries, and help with research. Buterin argues that this is a gradual development of computer capabilities across an increasing number of disciplines rather than a single, abrupt leap.

The Moment Civilisation Can Run Without Humans

Buterin believes that the main issue is not the emergence of a highly intelligent AI, but rather the point at which AI can support civilisation independently.

This, in his words, is the real "point of no return." Humanity would no longer be necessary to maintain civilisation if machines could ultimately run vital infrastructure, sustain industry, advance science, and even enhance or replicate themselves with little to no human intervention.

The power dynamics between people and machines would be drastically altered by that development. Reversing the move to self-sustaining AI systems may become practically impossible.

Buterin also suggests that machines may eventually become more independent through self-replication. Future AI systems could help create, maintain, or grow their own capabilities rather than relying on humans to develop every new generation of technology. Although he does not portray this as an inevitable result, he thinks it is a future worth anticipating before technology advances to that point.

Why Buterin Supports a 'Narrow Corridor'?

Vitalik Buterin does not call for completely banning AI development, despite pointing out major risks. Rather, he suggests taking what he refers to as a "narrow corridor" - a course that permits technological advancement while lowering the likelihood of disastrous results.

He thinks that rather than being centralised in the hands of a few companies, AI development should continue to be open. For this reason, rather than putting sophisticated skills behind closed systems, he advocates for open-weight AI models that allow for greater involvement, openness, and independent research.

Another crucial feature of his approach is imposing restrictions on computational growth. By pausing the race toward increasingly powerful AI systems, society gets more time to study the technology, develop safeguards, and make intelligent decisions instead of reacting after irreversible changes have already occurred.

For Buterin, the challenge is not only constructing stronger AI but ensuring that mankind stays in control as these systems become more capable.

Thread: how I think about the growth of AI capabilities and what it means for us as they keep getting stronger.

I think the right model for comparing humans and AI is not any single dimension like intelligence or aggregate performance on economic tasks. Rather, I view both… pic.twitter.com/q5DdqeGIuj

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) July 20, 2026

Human-AI Collaboration Could Shape the Better Future

Despite emphasising long-term threats, Buterin does not envision the future as a conflict between people and machines. Instead, he feels the best conclusion may come from cooperation.

He juxtaposes this relationship to modern chess, where teams made up of humans and computers typically do better than either could achieve alone. Rather than replacing human decision-making, AI can complement it by handling jobs that machines perform well while leaving uniquely human skills in areas like creativity, judgment, and emotional understanding.

At the same time, Buterin openly questions if these human advantages would remain permanent. As AI continues spreading into new sectors, it is still uncertain which capabilities will remain distinctly human and which may eventually be reproduced by increasingly complex systems.

He thinks today's choices are crucial because of that uncertainty. Whether the future becomes one where AI controls civilisation or one where humans and intelligent computers work together will depend on how society decides to create and govern AGI long before it achieves its full potential.

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