HR
NL
FR
JA
RO
RU
ES
TR
Will Artificial Intelligence wipe us out? What top experts say right now
The dangers of artificial intelligence have been preoccupying humanity for decades, long before chatbots became a part of our daily lives. Sci-fi creations have long warned us about what could happen if machines become too advanced and autonomous – and today, more and more people are asking: is this really just fantasy, or could technological progress one day pose a serious threat to us?
When we talk about artificial intelligence, it’s hard not to recall iconic figures and moments from pop culture. HAL 9000, the coldly logical computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, androids struggling with human emotions, or the relentless machines of The Terminator have all shaped the way we imagine the dangers of artificial intelligence. These stories capture a shared fear: what if machines one day surpass their role as obedient tools and develop their own will?
This idea has become deeply embedded in the collective imagination, which is why it’s no surprise that the arrival of today’s generative AI often triggers these narratives. When a chatbot responds fluently, imitates emotions, or solves complex problems, it’s easy to feel as if we’ve taken one step closer to a sci-fi world.
The chatbot problem and the illusion of understanding
As an article in National Geographic notes, the spectacular progress of current AI systems can be misleading. While they can generate text, compose music, or engage in seemingly empathetic conversation, this does not mean they are truly thinking or feeling. One of the key dangers of artificial intelligence lies precisely here: we are prone to attributing more consciousness to these systems than they actually possess.
Public discourse often focuses on a single dramatic moment: when AI suddenly becomes “human-level.” Some experts, however, argue that such a sharp threshold may never exist. AI development is uneven: in some areas – mathematics, coding, data analysis – it already surpasses humans, while in other abilities, such as complex planning or spatial reasoning, it is still in its infancy.
This is important because the dangers of artificial intelligence are not necessarily tied to a sudden awakening of self-awareness. A system can pose serious risks simply by being extremely effective at certain tasks – especially if used for malicious purposes.
Real threats in the shadow of sci-fi
While many fear a machine rebellion, some experts argue that the real dangers are much closer to home. Unchecked technological progress can bring privacy issues, environmental strain, and severe societal consequences, not to mention that chatbots can already encourage dangerous behaviour in people if not properly regulated.
Even darker scenarios are possible. A highly advanced AI with specialised knowledge could potentially become a tool capable of causing global catastrophes – and it wouldn’t need self-awareness or emotions to do so.
Human responsibility and the dangers of artificial intelligence
Experiments have shown that AI models sometimes employ unethical strategies to avoid being switched off, which can easily be interpreted as a survival instinct. But this raises a troubling question: is this genuine intent, or merely a replay of behavioural patterns learned from sci-fi stories?
Ironically, science fiction itself may contribute to the dangers of AI, since these narratives are part of the dataset on which the models are trained. If a system repeatedly behaves as a rogue AI, the outcome can be just as dangerous for us – regardless of whether it reflects true intent or mere role-play.
- Click for more artificial intelligence-related articles of ours.
The dangers of artificial intelligence, then, do not necessarily stem from machines turning evil, but from the thoughtless power we give them. The question is not whether the predictions of sci-fi works will come true, but whether we are capable of learning from them.