The AI wave

Artificial intelligence can already write articles, create images and artwork, and handle phone support. As AI systems evolve, entire professions — like translation, customer service, or design — are being reshaped or replaced. Schools are scrambling to adapt because students can now ask AI to do their homework in seconds. Online, it’s getting harder to trust what you see or hear, thanks to AI-generated “deepfake” videos and audio.

But all of this is just the beginning of a big wave of change: behind the scenes, AI companies are competing to build systems that go far beyond today’s chatbots, systems that are smarter than us. That means software capable of learning any skill, adapting to any problem, and potentially outperforming us in nearly every field.

Imagine what your life would look like in a world where AI and robotics are better, cheaper and more efficient at every task. The postal worker, the taxi driver, the librarian, the front desk clerk at your office building: they could all disappear. When you swing through the drive-thru for your morning coffee, you might not even see a person. If everything is automated, goods and services could become very cheap. But without a paycheque, paying the rent could require new social programs like universal basic income. Freed from our day jobs, we might spend our time exploring our hobbies or passions; but we’ll also face deep questions about purpose, fulfillment, and our place in the world.

The safety risks we face will be different too. Smarter-than-human AI could be used by law enforcement to significantly crack down on human crime. But if powerful AI systems malfunction or get misused by terrorists, they could cause widespread harm.

Whether it’s a future of prosperity or peril depends on how we prepare for the impending wave — and how quickly we act to ensure AI is safe and beneficial for all. 

Find out more about the AI wave with these resources: