It is quite possible that evolution had enough time to solve that problem completely [statistical inference in the cortex] - or at least reach some nearly global maxima

This is unlikely. We haven't been selected based on sheer brain power or brain inefficiency.

I largely agree with your point about human evolution, but my point was about the laminar cortical circuit which is shared in various forms across the entire mammalian lineage and has an analog in birds.

It's a building block pattern that appears to have a long evolutionary history.

Genetic algorithms can select for narrow task completion goals, rather than select in a constantly changing environment with competition and interaction between the various entities being bred.

Yes, but there is a limit to this of course. We are, after all, talking about general intelligence.