Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of the human brain and its implications for artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that understanding the brain's evolutionary breakthroughs may unlock new advancements in AI capabilities [2][7]. Summary by Sections Evolutionary Breakthroughs - The evolution of the brain is categorized into five significant breakthroughs that can be linked to AI development [8]. 1. **First Breakthrough - Reflex Action**: This initial function allowed primitive brains to distinguish between good and bad stimuli using a few hundred neurons [8]. 2. **Second Breakthrough - Reinforcement Learning**: This advanced the brain's ability to quantify the likelihood of achieving goals, enhancing AI's learning processes through rewards [8]. 3. **Third Breakthrough - Neocortex Development**: The emergence of the neocortex enabled mammals to plan and simulate actions mentally, akin to slow thinking in AI models [9]. 4. **Fourth Breakthrough - Theory of Mind**: This allowed primates to understand others' intentions and emotions, which is still a developing area for AI [10]. 5. **Fifth Breakthrough - Language**: Language as a learned social system has allowed humans to share complex knowledge, a capability that AI is beginning to grasp [11]. AI Development - Current AI systems have made strides in areas like language understanding but still lag in aspects such as emotional intelligence and self-planning [10][11]. - The article illustrates the potential future of AI through a hypothetical robot's evolution, showcasing how it could develop from simple reflex actions to complex emotional understanding and communication [13][14]. Historical Context - The narrative emphasizes that significant evolutionary changes often arise from unexpected events, suggesting that future breakthroughs in AI may similarly emerge from unforeseen circumstances [15][16].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of intelligence from early mammals to modern AI, emphasizing that intelligence can compensate for physical limitations and that historical events significantly influence the development of intelligence [3][4][11]. Group 1: Evolution of Intelligence - The first breakthrough in brain evolution occurred 550 million years ago, allowing organisms to differentiate between stimuli and develop basic emotional responses with only a few hundred neurons [4]. - The second breakthrough involved the advanced use of dopamine in vertebrates, enabling them to quantify the likelihood of rewards and develop curiosity through complex actions [5]. - The third breakthrough was the development of the neocortex in mammals, which allowed for imagination and planning, akin to slow thinking as described by Daniel Kahneman [5][6]. Group 2: AI and Intelligence - AI has significantly improved through reinforcement learning, which rewards processes rather than just outcomes, allowing for learning from each step rather than waiting for the end result [5]. - Current AI models, particularly large language models, demonstrate an understanding of language beyond mere memorization, indicating a significant advancement in AI capabilities [7][10]. - The potential future breakthroughs in AI may involve combining human and AI intelligence, enabling AI to simulate multiple worlds or understand complex rules in novel ways [11][12]. Group 3: Historical Context of Breakthroughs - Historical events, such as the asteroid impact that led to the extinction of dinosaurs, have provided opportunities for the evolution of mammals and the development of intelligence [3][15]. - The article suggests that significant changes in the world often arise from unexpected and radical shifts rather than gradual improvements [16][17].