Well, when you consider some of the stuff coming out of modern neuropsychology (e.g. Michael S. Gazzaniga's stuff) and some of the teachings of the buddha (e.g. no self) , one starts to get the idea that nature already invented artificial intelligence, and it is represented in the human mind.

We talk about inventing an artificial ego, but are not all ego's already artificial creations. A model of "self" developed in the mind over a lifetime of experiences. A model that in the end is not really all that accurate. And if the ego is really just a working model of "me", then where is this "intelligent" "me" that I take for granted exists. Is it possible that this artificially created "ego me" that the brain created to represent a self, this "brain illusion" is the only individual me there is, at least for this lifetime anyway?

I suppose it may one day be that a race of machines looks back on homosapiens as a stage in its own evolution and marvels at how far it has evolved from those frail and primitive semi-intelligent life forms. Much like we look back at australopithecus or homo erectus as primitive forms of ourselves. And I suppose there is no reason that behind/within those machines may be a soul experiencing life as a more advanced and more intelligent life form.