There are some niche research areas where bog standard machine learning algorithms make miracles. LLM is just the poster child. AI/ML is a much larger and wider research area.
In a way: We have had "recursive self improvement" (RSI) - that's what genetics is, giving rise to ... us.-
This time around, I think the truly worrying thing is that, having transcended the biological substrate, the pace is unlike anything previously seen.-
Just a thought.-