I’m becoming very afraid about people that don’t realize the implications of AI. (And the its just a tool argument)

The Urgent Need to Recognize the Real Implications of Artificial Intelligence

As AI continues to rapidly evolve and integrate into our daily lives, there’s a growing concern about public understanding of its true impact. Many view AI merely as a helpful tool, but the reality is far more complex and potentially transformative — and not necessarily in the ways most anticipate.

A Personal Perspective on AI’s Potential

Personally, I’m not opposed to artificial intelligence. In fact, I believe AI and robotics have the potential to revolutionize our workforce—taking over jobs that are currently monotonous or hazardous. The goal should be for humans to move beyond survival work, enabling us to focus on pursuits that truly bring fulfillment. Humanity, at its core, should be free to enjoy life, care for our planet, and nurture each other.

However, misconceptions about AI’s capabilities and consequences are widespread. Recently, I encountered someone who uses AI daily for software development—creating small-scale applications that a single person wouldn’t normally be able to develop alone. During our conversation, they shared an analogy about AI that I found quite naive and misguided.

Clarifying AI’s Maturity and Current Challenges

I explained that many major issues associated with large language models (LLMs) — such as hallucinations and difficulty making abstract connections across vast information sets — have been largely addressed by the industry. While not perfect, these problems are manageable enough for large corporations to deploy AI in production environments. Their confidence stems from the technology’s significant progress over the past year.

Furthermore, I highlighted that a substantial portion of the workforce, especially among Gen Z, faces challenges due to AI’s influence. For instance, around 60% of recent graduates struggle to find jobs. This is partly because AI can perform many tasks that humans traditionally did—often for lower wages—leading to widespread job displacement.

The Bigger Picture: Economic and Social Consequences

Despite my extensive readings on AI, I was told I sound like someone who only reads about bears but never ventures into the wild. The speaker urged me to stop just researching AI theoretically and to start exploring ways to monetize it. While innovation and entrepreneurial thinking are important, the broader picture cannot be ignored.

The reality is that most white-collar roles are vulnerable to automation. As AI systems improve, we risk a scenario where traditional employment shrinks dramatically. Skilled trades may become overcrowded as displaced workers seek alternative careers, but shortages could still emerge in areas requiring specialized manual skills.

Projections suggest unemployment rates could jump to at