Another Turing Award Winner Says AI Succession Is Inevitable

What happens when the brightest minds in computer science start agreeing that artificial intelligence won’t just help us—it’ll eventually succeed us? That’s exactly what’s making headlines after another Turing Award winner, Richard Sutton, shared his thoughts on the inevitability of “AI succession” in a recent interview.

What Does “AI Succession” Really Mean?

AI succession is a big idea that sounds straight out of science fiction—machines or artificial intelligence systems eventually taking over as the most intelligent entities on Earth. But when a legend like Richard Sutton talks about it so matter-of-factly on the Dwarkesh Podcast, it makes you sit up and pay attention.

Sutton is no stranger to these conversations. He won the prestigious Turing Award (think of it as the Nobel Prize for computing) and has spent decades exploring how machines learn and think. In his chat with Dwarkesh Patel, he made it clear that he doesn’t just think powerful AI is possible—he sees its rise as something we can’t avoid.

Why Are Experts Convinced?

So why are heavyweight experts like Sutton convinced that artificial intelligence will ultimately succeed humans? It comes down to a few key reasons:

• Exponential Progress: Unlike biological evolution, which takes thousands or millions of years, technological progress (especially in computing) moves at a lightning pace.
• Resource Advantage: Machines don’t need sleep or food and can process information far faster than any human brain.
• Self-Improvement: Once an AI system can improve itself, its abilities could grow much faster than we can anticipate.
• Historical Trends: Every time we’ve created new tools—from fire to computers—they end up changing how we live and work in ways we never quite expected.

Sutton isn’t alone here. Several other Turing Award winners have voiced similar predictions over the years. The feeling among many in the field isn’t whether advanced general intelligence will arrive—it’s more about how soon and how we’ll handle it.

The Human Side: An Anecdote About Change

Think back to when calculators first appeared in math classrooms. Many teachers worried students would stop learning basic arithmetic altogether. Yet today’s students use calculators for complex problems while still understanding fundamentals—because education adapted.

Now imagine something several orders of magnitude bigger than calculators—a world where machines don’t just help us solve math problems but might start solving problems (or asking questions) we haven’t even thought of yet. That’s the kind of shift Sutton is talking about with inevitable AI succession.

The point isn’t doom and gloom; it’s about expecting change and preparing for it thoughtfully.

How Should We Prepare For Inevitable AI Succession?

If leading voices agree that some form of “AI successor” is just a matter of time, what does that mean for you and me? Here are some practical takeaways:

• Stay informed: The more you know about advancements in artificial intelligence, the better prepared you’ll be for changes coming your way.
• Lifelong learning: As machines take over repetitive tasks or complex analysis, creative thinking and emotional skills become even more valuable.
• Ethical conversations: Start (or join) discussions about how society should respond if machines really do surpass human abilities—especially in critical areas like medicine or law.
• Policy matters: Keep an eye on governments and organizations setting rules for how advanced AIs are built and used.

This isn’t just a sci-fi scenario anymore—it’s becoming part of mainstream tech conversations because people like Richard Sutton are bringing it into the open.

The Bottom Line—Are We Ready for Our Successors?

Richard Sutton’s belief that “AI succession is inevitable” isn’t meant to scare anyone; it’s a call to pay attention. The changes might come gradually or all at once—but history shows that ignoring game-changing technology rarely works out well.

So here’s a question worth pondering: If our successors are artificial intelligences rather than humans…how do you want them to treat us?