RSI has become the new AGI: Analyzing the conceptual shift

In September 2026, the tech community is debating the nature of human-level artificial intelligence. The article analyzes the trend of conflating AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) with RSI (Recursive Self-Improvement). The author distinguishes between three key terms: AGI, which describes the breadth of a system's capabilities; RSI, which characterizes a development mechanism through self-improvement; and ASI (Artificial Superintelligence), which denotes superiority over humans. The author argues that equating a system's ability to self-improve with the achievement of general intelligence is a logical fallacy. The piece calls for terminological precision to avoid speculation regarding the pace of technological development and actual capabilities. This analysis helps readers navigate current debates about the future of AI and avoid confusing development mechanisms with the final characteristics of the systems.