This seems to me like a very strange hypothesis–as the human brain itself doesn’t (at least normally) necessitate its own obsolescence and replacement.  The article states that computers exist today that perform many more calculations than the human brain can, but this is an apples-and-oranges claim for two obvious reasons:

1. The human brain is no better at processing huge mathematical calculations than a computer is at processing emotion
2. The time-honored tradition of equating an organic human brain to a computer’s microprocessor simply because both have the ability to use logic is [still] absolutely incorrect

Organic intelligence–at least in human society–has been mainly based on the ability to use existing information in new scientific developments; the human brain itself has changed very little in our history.  It doesn’t seem common for scientists to identify a lack of brainpower as much as a failure to exploring enough alternatives to find a solution for a particular problem.

It seems that we have always enjoyed using technology as an aid and supplement to our lives rather than a replacement for them.  Proof of this lies in the development of devices that are increasingly easy for humans to interact with.  Touch screen systems, multi-touch systems, speech-enabled systems–even devices that are capable of using human thoughts as input are being developed to improve human-computer interaction.  This seems that it would result in a very close relationship between man and machine, but never a symbiosis.  Computers will never develop lives or personality unless we program in them an ability to reason, give them enough external control to make changes, and enough time to evolve.

Should a robot race ever be born, however, how would we know that it would have any mission or directive?  Would it find a purpose in life?  How would it manifest that purpose?  How would it choose to interact with humans?  Probably the biggest question I have to pose is this:  Why do we feel that if we created artificial intelligence with greater-than-human potential that it would EVER emulate human life?