RSI is the new AGI — and it’s just as hard to pin down

Recursive self-improvement is emerging as a major AI buzzword, with startups and researchers building tools to automate model training, research, and coding.

Examples include Recursive Superintelligence, Karpathy’s Auto-Research, Adaption’s AutoScientist, and Anthropic’s heavy use of Claude Code.

Supporters say RSI could help AI systems iteratively upgrade themselves and speed progress toward more capable systems.

But leaders like Sundar Pichai say the industry is still far from true RSI, with major reliability and capability gaps remaining.