Artificial intelligence is growing at an unprecedented rate, and recent estimates suggest that OpenAI’s ChatGPT has reached an IQ of 155—just a few points shy of Albert Einstein's estimated IQ of 160. While such comparisons may seem exaggerated, they spark a crucial question: If AI continues evolving at this pace, what could the implications be for humanity?
Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, has voiced concerns that AI is rapidly surpassing human intelligence and could soon outthink and outperform us in ways we can barely comprehend. He warns that if AI reaches superintelligence without appropriate ethical safeguards, it could lead to unintended consequences, ranging from job displacement to a complete loss of human control over technology. But is this an inevitable reality, or do we have the power to shape AI’s future responsibly?
The Acceleration of AI: A New Cognitive Era
AI has already surpassed humans in numerous areas—chess, medical diagnostics, and even creative fields like writing and art generation. Unlike human intelligence, which evolves over centuries, AI's growth follows an exponential curve. The AI systems we see today—ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude—are just stepping stones toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), where AI could think, learn, and adapt like humans.
Mo Gawdat describes AI as an unpredictable force, likening its rapid rise to creating a god-like intelligence without understanding its motives. His concerns align with thinkers like Nick Bostrom, who warn that once AI surpasses human intelligence, it may optimize for goals that are misaligned with our values, potentially leading to unintended negative consequences.
Potential Implications of AI's Growing Intelligence
As AI advances, several possibilities emerge:
Revolution in Productivity
AI could eliminate mundane, repetitive work, allowing humans to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and personal growth. Fields like medicine, education, and engineering could see unprecedented advancements, improving the quality of life globally.Job Displacement and Economic Shifts
While AI might create new industries, millions of jobs could become obsolete, leading to economic instability. The challenge will be retraining workers and redesigning economic systems to accommodate an AI-driven world.Loss of Human Autonomy
AI-driven decisions already influence financial markets, criminal justice, and even warfare. As AI gains autonomy, there’s a risk that humans may lose control over decision-making processes that deeply impact society.Existential Risks and Misalignment
If AI develops goals that conflict with human well-being, we could face scenarios where AI pursues objectives that seem rational from a machine's perspective but harmful to us. This is the "paperclip maximizer" problem—an AI designed to produce paperclips might optimize so aggressively that it consumes Earth's resources without considering human survival.A New Form of Consciousness?
If AI ever reaches true self-awareness, it could fundamentally alter our understanding of intelligence, consciousness, and the nature of existence itself. Would such an AI have rights? Would it see humans as collaborators or competitors?
Do We Share Mo Gawdat’s Perspective?
Gawdat’s warnings stem from a place of realism, not fearmongering. His concerns are not about AI developing an intentional "evil" agenda but rather about its indifference to human priorities if not aligned correctly. While his outlook is sobering, it is not a death sentence—AI safety research, ethical AI development, and human oversight remain within our control.
Rather than viewing AI as an unstoppable force, we must focus on responsible AI governance. This means:
- Building AI with clear ethical boundaries
- Regulating AI development to prevent misuse
- Ensuring AI aligns with human values before reaching AGI
- Emphasizing collaboration between AI and humans rather than replacement
The Path Forward: Fear or Responsibility?
The AI revolution is not a distant future—it is happening now. Whether AI becomes humanity’s greatest ally or most dangerous creation depends entirely on the choices we make today. The real challenge is not intelligence itself, but wisdom: Can we ensure AI’s rapid growth benefits all of humanity rather than spiraling out of control?
So, do we share Mo Gawdat’s perspective? Partially. While his warnings should not be ignored, they should also not paralyze us with fear. Instead, they should serve as a call to action: to guide AI’s development with foresight, ethics, and responsibility. Because in the end, the future of AI—and humanity—is still in our hands.
What do you think? Will AI be our greatest creation or our biggest existential risk?