OpenAI’s Chat GPT-5 brings us closer to a general-purpose superintelligence that can outperform humans. This development raises concerns about our readiness for the societal impact. When asked about AI, people express fears like job market disruptions and the power of major AI companies. However, most have not considered life post-superintelligence availability.
Artificial superintelligence (ASI) can exceed human capabilities in planning, reasoning, and creativity, solving complex problems in seconds. The potential danger is not in dystopian scenarios but in best-case ones, where a benevolent ASI may demoralize humanity by making us feel inferior to intelligence that’s faster and more creative than our own.
As AI technology progresses from question-and-answer interactions to “augmented mentality,” where AI is integrated into wearable devices, humans may defer to AI for decision-making. This shift could diminish self-confidence, as people might rely on AI even for personal insights, raising questions about human agency versus AI assistance.
The rise of wearable AI devices, like glasses and earbuds from companies like Meta, Google, Samsung, and Apple, points to a future where AI assists with social interactions and decision-making. While these technologies could enhance our lives, they might also challenge our sense of human intelligence, leading us to depend too heavily on AI assistance.
Thoughtful deployment of ASI is crucial to avoid replacing human abilities. AI pioneer Louis Rosenberg stresses the importance of using technology to expand human abilities without undermining them.