Who is to say that it is intelligent or that that is even a relevant question to ask? People being caught up in the magic of their own creation isn't something new.

The original topic was whether Artifical General Intelligence is far away or not, and I'm saying you can't say for sure it's far away when even ChatGPT-level intelligence was considered science fiction a few years ago.

Yes, they same way there is no certainty that it is close by. History suggests that predictions about technological and socia-economic futures are tough.

I agree but I wouldn't bet on it being far either based on how far we've come on the last few years.

Only one way to find out: letting time pass.