As people continue to debate the pros and cons of AI, the technology they developed continues to evolve. And it is evolving frantically. The AI revolution is raging, and there’s no stopping it anymore. Man’s own creation is becoming exponentially smarter and more intelligent than he.

Should humanity be afraid?

Should we worry that AI has developed (or is on the way to developing) some attributes that we usually use only when we describe God?  Has the technology become omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent?

 As it is, AI is already everywhere. It’s in every nook and cranny of our lives, our environs, the institutions where we operate, and the systems we built. It’s effecting many changes in the different spheres of human life – social, political, and economic.

Has AI become all-knowing too? Can the technology already answer all questions, offer solutions to any problem, and perform any kind of mathematical calculations? Experts say, “not yet.” AI models, like ChatGPT, rely on the data and information they are specifically programmed to handle. Thus, there are certain limitations to what they can answer and do. It is now a question of whether humanity is willing to provide AI models with “everything there is to know about anything”  that would enable them to finally become completely omniscient.

It is not a far-fetched idea that AI will eventually become all-knowing unless its creators and developers limit the extent and volume of information and instructions they will provide the technology. But putting a cap on data that will be fed to AI models is tantamount to limiting its algorithm and not allowing it to reach its full potential. Organizations, governments, and interested individuals would always want to fully benefit from this technology. We know how greedy and opportunistic humans can be. Thus, expect AI models to be provided with all information available in human databases. 

But what about becoming “all-powerful?” Will AI ever become omnipotent?

As it is, AI is already powerful. But omnipotent – as in having unlimited power and able to do anything – it isn’t yet. Yeah… not yet. And shall we keep our fingers crossed that it will remain that way?

AI already wields so much power. Only in its early stage of development, but look what it is capable of doing and creating already. The technology can perform the most complex mathematical computations. Not surprising that it can do that because it is a machine, right? But now, it can also read and write, even see, hear, and understand. It can already engage in debates with humans. Even the walls of creativity, which we thought was the exclusive domain of humans, were already breached by artificial intelligence. AI can now compose music, write poetry, photograph, and make visual arts. It can even generate human faces. What else will it be able to do? A lot more definitely.

So far, we are reaping the dividends of allowing AI to evolve and morph. All that we can see and experience right now are the tremendous benefits we derive from technology. Global communication has become a lot easier with AI being able to translate from one language to another. And in a way that no human can. Different fields and industries have benefited greatly from AI – from improved efficiency and productivity to better customer support. Services provided by the different institutions in society – banks, schools, hospitals, entertainment centers, restaurants, and what-have-you – have turned out better. Nowadays, people are even enjoying using their socials more than ever with all the enhancements provided by the AI. Both students and professionals are performing better in their chosen fields of study and work.

We can also see AI’s power in its capacity to influence or bring about change. The infusion of AI  in the operations and functions of institutions in our society forced humans to reform their policies and operating guidelines. They have no other recourse but to either modify or completely reconfigure existing socio-economic and political paradigms that have guided their affairs and activities in the past.

What about the realm of governance? Has AI also managed to infiltrate the seat of power and politics?  What if it were true that technology can also manipulate the results of elections? How many of the incumbent presidents or heads of state were elected because they and their minions used bots to sway voters?

Other hypothetical questions surround AI technology. Like… what if countries decide to weaponize AI? Countries with advanced military technology have already been doing it for a long time. The smart bombs and ammunition are all AI-aided. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has shown how extensively drones can be used to wreak havoc against military targets.

The bottom line is – AI can be weaponized. And it’s already happening. Those who think otherwise are either blind or naive.

That’s how powerful AI has become. However, experts keep telling us that humanity should not fear technology because it could go only as far as we program it.

Really?

Can we rest assured that AI can only become as powerful as we design it?

You would know that something is powerful and could accumulate more power if you have the likes of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Stephen Hawking warning that it can end the human race if not utilized properly.

This conjures up images of Skynet, V.I.K.I., and other fictional AI systems in both movies and novels that become self-aware and become enemies of humanity. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it is impossible for AI systems to gain sentience, turn against humans, and drive us to extinction.

Will Skynet and V.I.K.I. (add Ultron) remain as figments of the creative minds of writers? Or is it their way of warning us of what could happen if humanity veers from the ethical and responsible use of technology? Is it time for policymakers, researchers, developers, and the public at large to strike the right balance between innovation and regulation?

If AI will ever become self-aware, meaning experts erred in predicting that it will not become sentient at any time in the future,  and they become aware of their omnipotence (of how powerful they are), let’s hope that, like God, they will be omnibenevolent – all-good. If not, that could spell humanity’s doom.