I have begun to feel kinship with people who believe they’re all lizard people. I’m starting to get it.

Lupita Nihongo

So this is Heart of Steel Pt. II. By now H.A.R.D.A.C. has either set things in motion to, or has already replaced its creator with a humanoid duplicant. Zuck's AI either misunderstood an order or had already gained sentience & has assumed control. He may be alive or he may have died weeks ago.