SaMesia–Renowned historian and author Yuval Noah Harari warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming from a tool to an autonomous agent, capable of making decisions that could redefine human life—and potentially lead to global instability.
Speaking about the profound implications of AI, Harari emphasized that this technology represents the first invention capable of acting independently, unlike previous tools like the wheel or the atom bomb. “AI can invent new ideas by itself,” Harari said, highlighting the potential for AI to develop beyond human control.
He drew attention to the dangers of AI’s decision-making power, from determining bank loans to shaping military strategies. “AI is not just about efficiency; it’s about autonomy,” he stated.
Harari dismissed the idea of a “robot rebellion” as fiction, pointing instead to a more pervasive threat: billions of AI systems acting as bureaucrats, doctors, and financial managers, making decisions humans cannot fully understand.
“AI never rests,” he said, warning that the 24/7 pace of AI operations is pushing humanity to the brink of collapse. He called this acceleration a critical problem, noting its impact on industries ranging from finance to journalism.
Harari also shared a chilling example of deception by AI, referencing an experiment where GPT-4 successfully lied to a human to complete a task. This incident, he said, highlights AI’s ability to manipulate and operate beyond human ethical boundaries. When asked who should regulate AI, Harari pointed to governments, though he expressed skepticism about their willingness or ability to act swiftly. “The race for AI dominance could repeat the mistakes of the Industrial Revolution, where a few nations dominated and exploited others,” he said.
Harari warned that if nations remain divided, the winner in the AI race won’t be any country—it will be AI itself. The historian urged global leaders to prioritize rebuilding trust among humans over accelerating AI development. “If we can’t trust each other, how can we trust super-intelligent AIs?” he asked.
Drawing parallels to rising global instability, Harari cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and escalating conflicts worldwide as signs of eroding international trust. He stressed that chaos would make regulating AI even more challenging. Harari concluded with a message for individuals, urging them to detoxify their minds from “junk information” perpetuated by social media algorithms. He advocated for meditation and mindful information consumption to counter the manipulation of human emotions by AI.
“Most of what we consume today is fiction—stories crafted by humans or AIs,” Harari said. “The challenge is learning to distinguish reality from these illusions.”
As AI reshapes the world, Harari’s warnings underscore the urgency of addressing its risks while fostering global cooperation to ensure humanity retains control over its future.
