We have to define AGI first. Then depending on the definition we may be able recognize it when we make it. Most would probably think a definition of AGI that we couldn’t recognize would not be a great definition.

Also AGI almost certainly does not equal able to suffer. For example animals can suffer but would probably not meet the definition of AGI. we could create things that feel suffering even if they do not meet the definition of AGI.

So a better question might be: “can we detect if we create a system that can suffer?” And just drop the AGI part entirely. Then that gets us back to defining “suffering”. Agreeing on the definition always seems to be the hard part…