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 for Awareness and Responsible Thinking About Artificial Intelligence

As artificial intelligence continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, concerns are growing about society’s understanding of its true implications. While many proponents see AI as merely a powerful tool, there’s an alarming lack of awareness about how profoundly it could reshape our world.

Embracing AI as a Catalyst for Human Freedom

It’s important to clarify that I am not opposed to AI. In fact, I firmly believe that AI and robotics should be harnessed to automate virtually every job that is currently mundane or grueling. The goal is simple: free humanity from the burdens of oppressive work to pursue lives of fulfillment, creativity, and purpose. Human existence, at its core, should be about enjoying life, caring for our planet, and nurturing each other — not endless toil.

Recent Advancements and Misconceptions

I recently encountered someone who uses AI daily for coding and small-scale application releases — tasks he could not have achieved unaided just a year ago. Surprisingly, he compared AI to a trivial analogy, dismissing its significance. I pointed out that many critical issues with large language models (LLMs) and AI tools, such as hallucinations and the ability to understand complex information across multiple documents, have been largely addressed in enterprise-level solutions. While challenges remain, major corporations now utilize these tools safely in production environments.

Additionally, I mentioned that recent studies indicate approximately 60% of Generation Z struggles to find employment after college — a trend exacerbated by AI’s infiltration into the workforce, enabling companies to pay significantly lower wages for similar tasks, effectively suppressing job opportunities.

The Disconnect and Echoes of Misinformation

Despite my extensive research and understanding of AI’s rapid evolution, I was met with a dismissive comment comparing my curiosity to that of someone fascinated with bears who never ventures into the wild. I was advised to stop reading about AI and start “getting ahead” by figuring out how to profit from it.

This dismissiveness highlights a dangerous mindset: some believe AI is simply a tool, easy to control and contain. However, the reality is starkly different. The majority of white-collar jobs are likely to be displaced by automation, leading to significant unemployment. Many experts predict unemployment could soar to over 12% within the next year, with further increases on the horizon. It’s worth noting that official unemployment figures often overlook underemployment and those who have never been employed, making these predictions even more concerning.