AI's recursive self-improvement might not come so quickly after all

The Download: AI’s self-improvement problem, and what’s driving the heat

A new study finds AI agents still can't do open-ended AI research—the kind without clear-cut answers that requires judgment and creativity. This tempers claims that recursive self-improvement is near. The open question is whether AI can grind its way there through narrow tasks alone, or if open-ended research is essential. The post doesn't settle that, but the results suggest current timelines may be too optimistic.

Why it matters: MIT Tech Review reports an empirical study that directly challenges the recursive self-improvement narrative with a concrete finding. Downside: it's a Download summary, not the original paper, and the post doesn't disclose the research team or experimental details, limiting in...