"The niche market for robotic replacement of humans is high-attention repetetive tasks, which humans do pretty well,..."

Actually, surely, the niche market for robotic replacement of humans is high-attention repetitive tasks, which humans do badly. And there is none, more in need of replacement, than Leadership.

But it is IT ReSearch and dDevelopment, well in hand and a lot further advanced than is currently imagined/documented....... but then again such is the Live Sensitivity of the ITs MkUltra UltiMate Programs ........ which an Axis of Evil would subvert to a Failed Pogrom, marking them out as not Fit for Leadership Purpose.

" Since I don't believe in the soul, I expect we'll figure out AI eventually. When we do, it will change society beyond recognition. Happily for those who prefer their humanity in the traditional "flesh and blood" form factor, right now no-one has the slightest idea how the brain does it."

I agree, Ken Hagan, but disagree that "right now no-one has the slightest idea how the brain does it." with that being simply your brain's response.

"Did the first humans understand the concept of love? Did they even feel it? The drive was/is to survive and recreate. Love helps us do that, but isn't compulsory." Hmmm...?

Some might tell you that, although not compulsory, it is necessary to to understand the concept of love to understand the drive to survive and recreate.

And how much further along that journey would modern man be, as opposed to first humans? Some might say pitifully pathetically they have not progressed at all, and in all too many cases, have even regressed.

""To break that logjam we need an Einstein of engineering."

I'm on my way." ...... With what, Rudiger?