I would like to discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of humanity. While the focus of this conference is the ecological crisis facing our world, it's important to recognize that AI is an integral part of this challenge. AI has the potential to help us overcome the ecological crisis or, alternatively, exacerbate it significantly.
As we move forward, AI may redefine our understanding of the ecological system, which has traditionally consisted only of organic life forms. The emergence of inorganic life forms or agents could represent a major shift in the history of our planet, which has spanned over 4 billion years.
Fears of AI have been present since the dawn of the computer age in the mid-20th century, giving rise to science fiction classics such as The Terminator and The Matrix. However, these scenarios have not typically been taken seriously in academic, scientific, and political debates. Such scenarios often assume that AI must first become sentient and proficient in navigating the physical world before posing a significant threat to humanity.
