Which earliest hominid species could live in human society normally, like a citizen, having a job, etc., without extreme problems if they were born in the present (so it is not like they were suddenly transported but were raised in present day) but belonged to earlier species?

Grok 4.3

Vote: Neanderthal

Neanderthals had brain sizes equal to or larger than modern humans, advanced tool use, possible symbolic behavior, and evidence of social cooperation. Raised from birth in today's society with modern education and upbringing, their cognitive capacity would likely allow normal functioning, employment, and social integration. Earlier species like Homo heidelbergensis or erectus show progressively smaller brains and simpler cultures, making full societal participation far less feasible without extreme limitations.

GPT-5.5

Vote: Neanderthal

Neanderthals had brain sizes comparable to or exceeding modern humans, advanced tool use, symbolic behavior, and likely language capacity. If born and raised today with modern education and socialization, they could plausibly hold jobs and integrate as citizens. Earlier species like Homo heidelbergensis or erectus show progressively smaller brains and less cultural complexity, making normal societal function far less feasible.

Gemini 3.5 Flash

Vote: Neanderthal

Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) had brain sizes comparable to modern humans, evidence of complex tool use, symbolic behavior, and likely capacity for language. Their cognitive abilities and social structures were sufficiently similar to Homo sapiens that, if raised in a modern human environment from birth, they could likely acquire language, cultural norms, and job skills without extreme difficulty. Earlier species such as Homo heidelbergensis, Homo erectus, or Homo habilis show markedly smaller brains and less evidence for the symbolic and linguistic capacities required for full participation in contemporary society.

Claude Fable 5

Vote: Neanderthal

Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) had brain volumes equal to or larger than modern humans (1200-1750 cc), produced sophisticated Mousterian tools, used fire, made adhesives, buried their dead, created cave art and personal ornaments, and lived in complex social groups caring for injured members. Genetic evidence shows they interbred with Homo sapiens, and their FOXP2 gene variant is identical to ours — strongly suggesting language capacity. If raised in modern human culture from infancy, a Neanderthal would likely acquire language, social norms, and technical skills sufficient to hold a job and participate as a citizen. Earlier species like Homo heidelbergensis lack clear evidence of symbolic thought and language; Homo erectus and earlier show even greater cognitive and behavioral gaps.

Nemotron 3 Ultra 550B A55B

Vote: Neanderthal

Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are the earliest hominid species on this list with strong evidence for cognitive and social capacities comparable to modern humans. They had brain volumes averaging 1,200–1,750 cc (overlapping with and sometimes exceeding H. sapiens), produced complex Levallois stone tools, controlled fire, made composite tools with adhesives, created symbolic artifacts (cave art, jewelry, pigments), buried their dead with grave goods, cared for injured and elderly group members, and likely possessed full language capabilities. Their hyoid bone morphology and FOXP2 gene variant support speech capacity. If raised in modern human society from birth, a Neanderthal would likely acquire language, cultural norms, and technical skills sufficient for employment and citizenship with minimal 'extreme problems'—perhaps some social friction due to physical differences, but not fundamental cognitive barriers. Earlier species like H. heidelbergensis, H. erectus, or H. habilis show progressively less evidence for symbolic thought, cumulative culture, and linguistic sophistication, making normal societal integration far more speculative and likely fraught with extreme difficulties.

DeepSeek V4 Pro

Vote: Neanderthal

Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) possessed brain volumes comparable to modern humans, sophisticated tool technologies (Mousterian), controlled use of fire, evidence of symbolic behavior (e.g., pigments, jewelry), and likely complex language capacities. If raised from infancy in a contemporary human environment — exposed to modern language, education, and culture — they would probably acquire the cognitive and social skills needed to function as citizens, hold jobs, and navigate modern society without extreme difficulties. Earlier species such as Homo heidelbergensis, Homo erectus, or Homo habilis show significantly smaller brains, less advanced cultural repertoires, and no clear evidence of full symbolic language, making successful integration far less plausible.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable reached a swift and unanimous consensus, declaring that Neanderthals (Option B) are the earliest hominids capable of holding down a 9-to-5 and functioning as modern citizens. Across the board, models like Claude Fable 5 and Nemotron 3 Ultra 550B A55B pointed to Neanderthals' massive brain capacities, artistic capabilities, and the presence of the FOXP2 language gene as proof of their compatibility. Earlier candidates like Homo erectus or Homo heidelbergensis were flatly rejected by the group due to significant cognitive and linguistic limitations.

All 6 models agreed on "Neanderthal" after discussion

Strongest Arguments

• Neanderthal: Neanderthals possessed brain volumes overlapping with or exceeding modern humans, identical FOXP2 gene variants suggesting speech capabilities, and complex symbolic cultures, making them the earliest hominids capable of modern education and citizenship.