- August 18, 2025
- FOXITBLOG
The world has grown used to AI as a tool, like chatbots that answer questions, copilots that help write code, assistants that book flights. But according to intelligence explosion researcher Parzival Moksha, we may be standing at the edge of something far larger: an intelligence explosion.
Moksha, who has spent years studying how quickly AI could reach self-improving levels of intelligence, describes it this way: “Machines making better machines. That’s recursive self-improvement. Once AI makes itself just 5% more efficient, those little improvements add up, soon doubling the pace of progress.”
This isn’t just speculation. The frontier models being released today can already reason for hours, run code, browse the web, and complete complex tasks end-to-end. Tomorrow’s systems won’t simply retrieve information, they’ll function as full digital workers.
Cybersecurity: The First Battleground
With great power comes great vulnerability. As AI accelerates, the first true stress test may come not in productivity tools, but in cybersecurity.
Moksha predicts the emergence of “superhuman coders” and “superhuman hackers” within just a few years. Today, AI startups move fast, but often without the hardened security protocols of governments or established enterprises. That leaves high-value AI models exposed to theft, assets that cost hundreds of millions to train.
As Moksha notes, “Startups move fast, but they don’t always have the best cybersecurity. AI theft could be the first battleground.” For businesses, this means the AI race isn’t just about using AI effectively, it’s about protecting AI assets from being stolen or compromised.
The Rise of AI Remote Workers
Imagine an employee with an IQ of 180. Now imagine you can hire 20 of them instantly, have them collaborate around the clock, and pay no salaries. That’s not science fiction, it’s the logical next step for agentic AI.
Companies are already experimenting with AI systems that can book meetings, draft reports, and analyze data. The next frontier is the introduction of more digital “remote workers” like these who can emulate human knowledge the same way a human worker does.
As Moksha puts it, “Depending on which company brings the first true remote worker, that will be the benchmark for AGI. And we’re pretty close to that.”
Enterprises that adopt this technology early will see massive productivity gains, while those that hesitate risk being left behind.
A Race Without Brakes
There’s little chance of slowing this down. AI development has all the hallmarks of an arms race, driven by shareholder pressure, national security interests, and the fear of competitors gaining an edge.
“Sometimes you trade off security for speed,” says Moksha. “And in the case of AI, you do trade off speed for security.”
Much like the nuclear race of the 20th century, the AI race will continue regardless of ethical debates. The question is who gets there first and whether they can manage the risks responsibly.
FAQ
What is recursive self-improvement in AI?
It’s when AI begins improving its own architecture, making itself smarter at an accelerating pace.
Why is cybersecurity expected to be the first battleground?
Because AI models themselves are valuable assets. If stolen, they could give adversaries massive economic or geopolitical leverage.
Is the intelligence explosion inevitable?
Trends suggest rapid acceleration is already happening, but factors like compute shortages or regulation could delay it by months, not decades.
Want the Full Conversation?
This blog just scratches the surface of a fascinating discussion. To dive deeper into Parzival Moksha’s perspective on AI’s trajectory, cybersecurity, and what the next few years may hold, watch the full podcast episode of The Digital Shift powered by Foxit.
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