Is AGI really possible?

Could you elaborate on your thoughts regarding the possibility of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? Are there any recent advancements or theories that suggest it's achievable in the NEAR future? What are some of the main challenges and obstacles that stand in the way of achieving AGI? Are there any ethical considerations or concerns that should be taken into account when discussing the development of AGI? Furthermore, how do you envision AGI potentially impacting various industries and aspects of our daily lives if it were to become a reality?