If humans were to go extinct, it is possible that new species could eventually evolve to fill ecological niches that were once occupied by humans. However, the emergence of intelligent life, similar to humans, is a much more complex and uncertain process for several reasons:
Time scale: The evolution of intelligent life, capable of advanced tool use, complex language, and abstract thinking, took billions of years on Earth. It is a gradual process that requires specific conditions and a long time frame for the necessary genetic and environmental changes to occur.
Environmental factors: The emergence of intelligent life is influenced by various environmental factors, including the presence of stable and diverse ecosystems, a planet's physical and chemical properties, and the availability of resources to support complex brain development.
Catastrophic events: Major catastrophic events, such as asteroid impacts, supervolcanic eruptions, or rapid climate changes, can dramatically disrupt the evolutionary process and lead to mass extinctions. Such events could reset the evolutionary clock or create unfavorable conditions for the emergence of intelligent life.
Randomness: Evolution is inherently a random process, guided by natural selection and genetic mutations. While intelligence has proven advantageous for humans, there is no guarantee that the same evolutionary pathway would be followed by any future intelligent species.
Anthropogenic impact: Humans have had a significant impact on the planet's ecosystems and biodiversity. Our activities have led to the extinction of many species and altered ecosystems in ways that could make it challenging for new intelligent species to emerge.
Complexity of intelligence: Intelligence is a complex trait influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. The evolution of intelligence requires a delicate balance of these factors, making it a relatively rare occurrence in the history of life on Earth.
Overall, while it is possible for new species to evolve and adapt after human extinction, the emergence of another highly intelligent species like humans would be a rare and uncertain event, taking millions or billions of years, if it happens at all. The factors influencing the development of intelligence are still not fully understood, and it remains a fascinating topic of scientific inquiry.