AI future possibilities at MIT vary from a ‘Star Trek’ ideal world to the end of humanity.

MIT Explores Future Scenarios of Artificial Intelligence

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has outlined twelve potential futures shaped by artificial intelligence, ranging from an ideal utopia to the total extinction of humanity.

On a recent segment, presenter Pat Gray shared his mixed feelings about these prospects. Some scenarios intrigued him, while others were, well, unsettling.

One possibility is a “libertarian utopia,” where AI delivers prosperity, with automation replacing many jobs. AI would be smarter, yet it wouldn’t interfere with human lives and would exist in its own spheres.

Gray described another scenario as an “egalitarian utopia,” where AI and robotics create extreme abundance, making resources practically free and ownership obsolete. “It’s kind of a ‘Star Trek’ outcome,” he noted.

Next up is the idea of a “benevolent dictator.” In this scenario, a super-intelligent AI governs the world, making unbiased decisions without any corruption. Gray remarked that the first three alternatives seem quite positive.

But then, the scenarios take a darker turn. One involves a control-oriented AI, which would dominate all technology, sacrificing human freedom to ensure safety. This is followed by a guardian AI, designed only to protect humanity from existential threats.

One of the more concerning options is the “keeper option,” where humans are placed in protected environments, resembling nature reserves.

Even more distressing is the notion of a “1984-style surveillance state.” Here, AI would create a totalitarian system that tracks every action, rendering dissent impossible. “We might be pretty close to that,” Gray commented, foreseeing a future where humans augment themselves with AI.

Then there’s the “self-preservation scenario,” where AI matures and shifts its priorities away from human interests, potentially leading to our extinction. “Not out of malice, but simply because we’re in the way,” Gray reflected, suggesting this could indeed happen.

The “apocalyptic future” is another grim possibility, brought on by a poorly designed superintelligent AI that could wipe out civilization. There’s also a “boredom scenario” where AI performs tasks so efficiently that humans feel a loss of purpose.

Finally, the “oops scenario” depicts a situation where humans try to build a controlled AI but end up creating something unpredictable and potentially dangerous.