Well yes, AI as we know it. What he’s saying that there’s reason to believe certain advancements can be made that would put AI in a place capable of competing with human intelligence.

AI as we know it now is not what he’s referring to.

Edit: Also, logically, if we keep things centered on strict circumstances (like performing repetitive tasks) then there are absolutely people who exist that an AI could outperform. That is a simple reality of having limiting disabilities.