Yes statistics has basically become magic now.

This seems to be a general overview.

A - Task x requires understanding

B - GPT-N performs Task x

C - Obviously, GPT-N doesn't understand

D - Task x doesn't require understanding

But see, C is just an unfounded assertion. If you question someone on C, they will often say something like, "It's just statistics and that's why it's still possible for B to happen". But "statistics" never does any real work here. Never provides any meaningful distinction. If you replace "statistics" with "magic" in the sentence, nothing actually changes because all statistics does in these kinds of conversations is provide a convenient boogeyman.

A - A force is required to lift a ball

B - I see Human-N lifting a ball

C - Obviously, Human-N cannot produce forces

D - Forces are not required to lift a ball

Well sir, why are you so sure Human-N cannot produce forces? How is he/she lifting the ball ? Well Of course Human-N is just using s̶t̶a̶t̶i̶s̶t̶i̶c̶s̶ magic