AI Isn’t the Enemy: What We Really Need to Worry About!

All along many have blamed AI for societal ills getting worse…but could it be that these ills are our own doing?

Rethinking AI: It’s Not About Alien Invasion

The fear that AI will “steal our jobs” reflects deep misconceptions about labour, value, and intelligence. AI, like any technology, is a part of us, not an alien competitor. When we see a robot as a rival in a zero-sum game, we ignore the real issue: the dehumanisation of labour. AI anxiety stems from our emphasis on dominance and hierarchy, yet evolution teaches us that cooperation leads to greater complexity and resilience. Human intelligence itself is a collective phenomenon, arising from cooperation among individuals and various species.

Intelligence Beyond the Individual

As AI systems advance, our achievements and challenges increasingly become global in scale. Our intelligence, like that of AI, is distributed and embodied in various forms. This interconnectedness, which includes technology and other species, suggests that we should broaden our definition of “human” to encompass this entire bio-technological network. Dominance hierarchies, rooted in competition, are outdated mechanisms that should not shape our understanding of AI. Instead, AI’s role should be seen as supportive and cooperative.

AI: A New Partner, Not a Master

The term “robot” originates from the notion of forced labour, and AI’s development has been shadowed by fears of domination. However, AI models, like human intelligence, depend on a network of human culture, resources, and cooperation. The true threat lies in human inequalities, not AI. Recognising our interdependence with AI and each other is crucial for a harmonious future where humans, animals, plants, and machines coexist and thrive together.

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