You're assuming technological development is linear. In reality, it can develop in an infinite number of directions. We existed naturally for 200,000 years and

You're assuming technological development is linear. In reality, it can develop in an infinite number of directions. We existed naturally for 200,000 years and produced no more technology than a chimpanzee. It is only in very recent history that humanity has undergone a technological explosion from very primitive beginnings. What do you think changed. We are now attempting to use AI to develop new technology ourselves, with limited results. If we could harvest some outside intelligence, we would.