Google DeepMind · arXiv 2606.12683
From AGI to ASI
What happens after human-level AGI? This report maps the continuum of machine intelligence beyond AGI — four technological pathways toward superintelligence, the frictions that could slow or halt them, and the research questions they raise.
Over the last decade, building human-level AGI moved from far-fetched speculation to a concrete next-decade target. This guide looks one step further: not whether we reach AGI, but how AI itself might keep developing afterwards — toward systems more capable than large organisations of humans.
We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.
Explore the report
What counts as superintelligence?
AGI, ASI and the theoretical endpoint of Universal AI — and why intelligence is best treated as a continuum.
Advantages of a digital mind
Properties of digital intelligence that scale with compute and hardware in ways biology cannot — widening the human–AI gap as computers grow more powerful.
How fast could capability grow?
Effective compute has grown roughly an order of magnitude per year — the product of better hardware, more investment, and more efficient algorithms. Whether that translates into genuinely new capabilities is the open question.
Four pathways from AGI to ASI
Four routes by which AI might move from human-level to superintelligence. They are not mutually exclusive and may unfold in parallel. Tap a card for detail.
Three flavours of recursive self-improvement
The report maps self-improvement onto three processes drawn from human evolution.
Seven bottlenecks on the way
Frictions that could slow or halt progress along the pathways. Whether each is negligible or decisive is itself an open research question. Filter by type, or tap for detail.
Plenty that needs to be done
Open research questions the report leaves for the field, grouped by theme.
Glossary
Key terms used in the report. Type to filter.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip. Step through the core ideas of the report.
Quick comprehension check
Seven questions on the report's core ideas. Instant feedback; your score lives only in this session.