There is a growing debate about the fear that AI might bring about the end of humanity. Until recently, people mainly argued over whether AI would ever surpass human intelligence. However, as AI has clearly surpassed us in several areas, the focus of the debate has shifted. Now, the concern is that AI might begin to act independently and lead us toward destruction.
Various scenarios have been suggested regarding how AI could cause such ruin, but let us consider an extreme example. Imagine an AI pressing the launch button for nuclear missiles, much like Skynet in the movie Terminator 3. However, no matter how many times an AI presses a launch button, nothing will fly if there are no missiles to begin with. Even if a missile were launched, a nuclear war could not happen without a nuclear warhead attached to it. In short, if humans do not build weapons, no bomb will fly even if AI goes out of control. It sounds almost too obvious to mention, but that is the reality.
What about actual AI-driven hacking? I often wonder if stopping a rogue AI might be as simple as pulling the power plug. Recent reports show that hacking has occurred even in systems isolated from the internet, but would the AI really keep running if we shut off the power? If it continues to run even after the power is cut, couldn’t we just physically smash the circuit boards?
Ultimately, the problem does not lie in technology itself. It lies within our own egos. Human desires expand without limit, and AI is accelerating those desires. I believe it is not AI that will destroy humanity, but our own greed and desires. Driven by desire, we destroy the environment and push the development of AI ever further. Driven by desire, economic wars escalate and nations invade one another. As great thinkers like the Buddha and Aristotle have taught, all of humanity must work to exercise self-control and strive for the Middle Way, or moderation. We must also ensure that we do not choose leaders who are driven by selfish desires. In this way, what we need to protect ourselves from is not AI, but human greed.