All of the above are choices made by humans against the wellbeing of other humans without any consultation of the machines. Once those times appear on the horizon, discussion of a future existential risk brought about by a rogue AI will be a waste of time and a ridiculous distraction. The clear existential risk is just around the corner. The coming dystopia is one of man vs. human, not human vs. the machine.
A Late Stage Diagnosis
I’m frequently asked how I’m able to speak about the immediacy of such a dark future whilst remaining calm and focused on the actions needed.
Well, the way I think of it is that humanity at large has just been diagnosed with a late stage malignant disease—one that resulted from the long-term accumulation of harmful habits and unhealthy behaviors. We’re about to face a reckoning that the magic of the human condition made us believe would never come. Our future is the inevitable consequence of collective bad choices. The rise of AI is simply highlighting and accelerating this inevitability, not causing it.
Our world in 2025 struggles with core issues that stem from the geopolitical choices of the of the world’s biggest bull—engaging its massive defence establishment in a forever war—while masquerading as the protector of democracy and freedom. We struggle with our addictive, irresponsible consumerism that leads us to the destruction of our planet’s resources and the dangers of climate change. We rationalize the incessant borrowing that is threatening economic collapse everywhere, and normalize the dishonesty of social and mainstream media that manifested an epidemic of loneliness, lovelessness, depression, despair, chronic stress, disease and suicide. These are just a few of the upheavals we face today amongst many other, albeit more manageable, challenges.
But there I go again speaking about darkness with calm and resolve. How do I do it?
Well, have you ever wondered why doctors are trained and ethically obligated to inform their patients of their diagnosis swiftly and bluntly? It might seem more merciful to ease the patient into the severity of their new reality, but it isn’t.
A patient is told swiftly for a reason. Awareness empowers them with agency to make important choices. Armed with the facts, they reckon with what truly matters and prepare for what’s possible along with their loved ones. Crucially, awareness calls on the patient to assume responsibility, change direction and take corrective action.
Similarly, once convinced of humanity’s new dystopian diagnosis, I feel ethically obliged to to inform all of us, the patient, as soon as possible. No sugar coating, no false hope. Just the facts and reality so that we can each make crucial choices for the future of ourselves and those we love.
When destructive disruption is imminent, hope is the wrong premise
Every minute wasted diminishes whatever real hope still remains, as it limits humanity’s chances to course-correct. Our truest hope resides in honest acknowledgement and constructive change. Besides …
Our diagnosis, stark as it may be, is not terminal. It is a warning not a death sentence.
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