Embracing the Potential of AI: A Vision for a Better Future

People often ask me what I think about artificial intelligence and where it might take us. The real question, however, isn't about what AI can do, but rather what we will allow it to do. Where will we let AI lead us? This, I believe, is the true boundary of its potential. Today, opinions on AI are polarized—some approve, others oppose it, some fear job losses, and others worry it might take over the world and sideline humanity. But can we truly approach this topic objectively, or are we too personally involved to see it clearly?

There's a pervasive fear that AI will replace jobs, especially the simpler ones. But is this truly a bad thing? Humanity, in my view, was born to master the Earth. We possess the most advanced capabilities among all living beings to create, invent, grow, and evolve at an unprecedented pace. Sometimes, our society seems to lag behind this potential. We have the knowledge and tools to elevate all of humanity to a higher level. We know how to read and write; we can spread knowledge at a high level, and we have the internet, which allows us to access any information freely from around the world without the need for physical books or costly travel. Yet, we’ve left a large portion of people behind in this evolutionary journey.

Illiteracy and the inability to comprehend written text are growing issues. We are losing basic skills that are fundamental to human evolution. Returning to the topic of AI, the discussion should perhaps focus on this: is it really a bad thing if AI takes over certain jobs? Especially those that are mundane and repetitive? This shift could actually push humanity to grow and evolve, to aspire to higher levels of existence.

“Each of us has incredible abilities and competencies within us, but society often judges us by narrow standards.” AI could free us from these constraints, allowing us to explore our true potential. Imagine a world where AI handles not just menial tasks, but also complex decision-making in areas like governance, public policy, environmental management, and healthcare. Today, many of these decisions are influenced by political powers, economic interests, and other biases, often leading to suboptimal outcomes.

We’re facing global challenges—pollution, economic hardships, unhealthy food production, widespread obesity, and persistent diseases. These issues persist not because we lack solutions, but because there are too many vested interests at play. AI, if developed and deployed with the genuine well-being of humanity in mind, could help us overcome these problems. It could provide objective, unbiased solutions that prioritize human health and well-being over economic and political gains.

Would it really be so terrible to let AI govern certain aspects of our lives? It depends on what we mean by governance. An AI developed for human well-being wouldn't tell us not to love music, enjoy movies, spend time with family, or pursue our passions. Instead, it would prevent us from making harmful choices—like poisoning our food, polluting our air, or making socially and politically damaging decisions.

“AI could stop us from harming ourselves, from making choices that are detrimental to our well-being and our existence on this planet.” Wouldn't that be a positive development? The potential for AI to guide us towards better, healthier, and more informed decisions is immense. But are we ready to listen to it? Are we prepared to let AI help us build a better future? This is a question we must all ponder as we stand on the brink of a new technological era.