How many coders do you know that can make AI improvements? That ability is already reserved for the top humans. AI doesn’t even need to reach this bar to be better than the average coder.
I don't really think it is the "top humans" who are doing AI, it is just people whose skillsets and interests mesh with what is used in AI now. I will say that I am doing AI work and I am certainly not a top human when it comes to intellect.