I can’t approximate a dumb calculator without significant accuracy loss. Not without emulating symbolic computation, which current AI is perfectly capable of doing if you ask it the right way.
Whatever makes you think it’s necessary for AGI, when we don’t have it?
NNs fails to do any algorithmy like pathfinding, sorting, etc
The point is not that you have it it's that you can have it by learning and using a pen and paper.
Natural language understanding require both neural network like pattern recognition abilities and advanced algorithmic calculations.
Since neural networks are pathetically bad at algorithmy, we need neuro-symbolic software. However the symbolic part is rigid and program synthesis is exponential.
Therefore the brain is the only technology on earth to be able to dynamically code algorithmic solutions. Neural networks have only solved a subset of the class of automated programs.
Whatever makes you think it’s necessary for AGI, when we don’t have it?