As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances, its influence has expanded beyond technical fields into society’s core institutions, from healthcare to democracy. The 2024 U.S. presidential election exemplifies this transformation, where AI-driven misinformation threatens to disrupt public trust and democratic integrity. With the technology’s rapid evolution, concerns over AI’s ethical implications, especially through tools like deepfakes, have heightened, raising questions about how society can responsibly manage this powerful tool.
Deepfake Technology and Election Misinformation
One of the most pressing threats from AI lies in the spread of misinformation through deepfake technology. Deepfakes—highly realistic but manipulated videos and audio—can make anyone appear to say or do things they never did, a tactic that has gained popularity in recent years. As these tools become more sophisticated and accessible, they pose a direct risk to elections and other democratic processes. A particularly troubling example surfaced recently: a deepfake video of President Joe Biden telling Americans not to vote. Though quickly debunked, it demonstrated AI’s potential to alter public perception on a massive scale.
To counter this, organizations like Full Fact have incorporated AI-driven tools to track and verify statements in real time, aiming to curb the spread of misleading information. However, the challenge remains formidable. Deepfakes often spread faster on social media than fact-checkers can keep up with, and once misinformation is out, it can be hard to contain. Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, underscores these dangers in his book The Coming Wave, warning that unchecked AI technology could destabilize democratic institutions worldwide. Without robust regulation and accountability, he argues, AI could be weaponized to mislead and manipulate citizens in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Public Perception and AI’s Existential Threat
The American public’s perception of AI reflects these concerns, with a significant portion expressing apprehension over AI’s potential harm. A YouGov survey found that nearly half of Americans worry about AI’s impact, with some fearing that it could even turn against humanity. Sean Brehm, CEO of Spectral Capital, however, presents a more hopeful vision. He suggests that rather than fixating on dystopian scenarios, we should embrace the potential for a future where AI and humanity work in harmony.
In many ways, public concern around AI mirrors anxieties sparked by past technological leaps, such as the advent of the internet or even the invention of cars. University of Glasgow’s Professor Anahid Basiri draws historical parallels, arguing that while AI carries unique risks, it also offers transformative benefits, from advancing healthcare to improving communication efficiency. For Basiri, the central question is not if AI will take over but how it can be ethically and effectively integrated into society to enhance human life rather than detract from it.
ChatGPT’s Perspective: AGI, Superintelligence, and Future Scenarios
In an effort to understand the trajectory of AI, Newsweek posed a direct question to ChatGPT: “When will AI take over the world?” ChatGPT’s response provides a grounded look at AI’s current state and future possibilities. The AI highlighted a distinction between today’s “narrow AI”—tools designed for specific tasks like image recognition or language processing—and the concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a hypothetical form of AI that could match or exceed human cognitive abilities across diverse tasks.
According to ChatGPT, AGI remains a speculative concept. While some experts believe it could be achieved within a few decades, others are skeptical it will ever materialize. ChatGPT emphasized that even if AGI were developed, it would likely bring significant advancements in medicine, technology, and quality of life. However, it warned that achieving this level of AI would necessitate strict safeguards to align its objectives with human values to prevent unintended harm.
ChatGPT’s response captures the optimism and caution that defines current discourse on AI. It acknowledges both the enormous potential AGI holds and the ethical responsibility required to guide its development thoughtfully.
Key Risks Ahead: Military Applications, Job Disruption, and Ethical Alignment
As AI capabilities grow, certain risks become more immediate and concerning. ChatGPT identifies potential dangers, including military AI applications, widespread job automation, and ethical alignment issues. Autonomous AI-driven weapons, for instance, could lead to global instability, while automation could displace large segments of the workforce, sparking social and economic upheaval if societal structures do not adapt quickly enough.
The “alignment problem,” which concerns how to ensure an AGI’s goals align with human values, represents the most significant challenge. Without effective alignment, an AGI could inadvertently pursue objectives detrimental to human welfare, not out of malice but as an unintended consequence of its programming. Organizations like OpenAI and DeepMind are already conducting research to make future AGI systems more controllable and ethically aligned, working on value alignment frameworks and safety measures.
A Realistic Timeline for AI’s Evolution
Looking ahead, AI’s developmental timeline is commonly broken down into three speculative phases. Over the next five to ten years, we can expect continued breakthroughs in narrow AI applications across fields like healthcare, transportation, and education. However, experts largely agree that these systems will remain specialized, not evolving toward an AI “takeover.”
In the mid-term—roughly 20 to 50 years from now—some researchers speculate that AGI could emerge, though this remains highly uncertain. If AGI were to develop, it would introduce major ethical and safety considerations, necessitating comprehensive governance. Long-term predictions, extending 50 years and beyond, become increasingly difficult. The potential of AGI or superintelligence raises complex questions about control, alignment, and the very future of human-AI relations. However, achieving safe and beneficial AGI would depend on robust international collaboration and adherence to ethical standards.
Shaping AI’s Future Through Oversight and Collaboration
ChatGPT’s perspective, combined with expert opinions, paints a future where an AI “takeover” is unlikely in the near term, though AI development certainly calls for responsible oversight. The article highlights a crucial takeaway: AI’s future, whether promising or perilous, depends on how humanity steers its growth through ethical frameworks, safety protocols, and collaboration. By promoting regulatory standards, ensuring ethical alignment, and fostering cooperative international dialogue, society can harness AI’s benefits without succumbing to its risks.
In the end, while AI may never “take over the world” in a literal sense, it is set to reshape it profoundly. This transformation demands vigilant management and an informed public to navigate both the opportunities and challenges AI presents.
