Creator or Destroyer: Unveiling the Power of Artificial Intelligence

Written by Vahid Zekavati

Introduction:

Which path does humanity’s future lie on: darkness or light?
In a world that is changing at the speed of light every day, one question occupies the minds of billions of people. Will artificial intelligence, this new and powerful giant, be our savior or the beginning of a bitter end for humanity? In this book, instead of searching for a definitive and simple answer, we travel to the depths of our own fears and hopes. From the anxiety of losing our jobs and human status to the dream of curing incurable diseases and discovering unknown worlds, this book is an invitation to think about a future that we build with our own hands every moment. This is not just a book about artificial intelligence, but a journey into ourselves to discover who we are and what we want to be in the face of the greatest challenge of the modern era.

Chapter 1: Will Artificial Intelligence Save Us?

Why, deep down in our minds, does the image of powerful, emotionless machines appear whenever we hear the words Artificial Intelligence? This fear of the unknown stems from the fact that we have always been wary of powers we cannot control. But what if, instead of fear, we look at this phenomenon with open eyes and an accepting mind? Is it possible that this new force is not a threat to us, but the key to solving many of humanity’s long-standing puzzles? This chapter is an invitation to an exploratory journey into the endless opportunities of artificial intelligence, opportunities that can completely transform our lives and those of future generations and free us from many past sufferings. Let us look beyond our fears toward brighter horizons.

In a not-so-distant past, curing incurable diseases was only a dream, but now with the help of artificial intelligence, this dream is becoming a reality. Imagine that AI can analyze the genetic data and medical information of millions of patients around the world, discover hidden patterns, and help doctors in the early diagnosis of diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s. This technology, with incredible speed, suggests personalized treatment pathways that are optimized for each individual, considering their unique biological characteristics. This data processing power is beyond the ability of any human and heralds a new era in medical science in which treating diseases is based on accurate and personalized information rather than trial and error.

Science and knowledge have always been the driving force of human civilization, and artificial intelligence has elevated this driving force to an unprecedented level. Now, scientists can use this powerful tool to perform complex simulations and test hypotheses that were impossible or very expensive to test in the real world in a virtual environment. From discovering the laws of quantum physics to modeling climate change, artificial intelligence helps researchers achieve a deeper understanding of the world around us. This tool, instead of limiting creativity, frees it and allows scientists to focus on big and fundamental questions, while AI handles repetitive and computational tasks.

One of the greatest benefits of artificial intelligence is the significant increase in productivity and efficiency in various industries. Many tasks that are currently repetitive, boring, and tedious can be assigned to robots and smart systems. This automation not only reduces errors and increases speed but, more importantly, frees up human labor from exhausting tasks. This gives people the opportunity to engage in creative, strategic, and interactive work, where the human spirit and emotions play a key role. This change transforms the nature of work and leads us toward a society where work is more of an opportunity for growth and flourishing than just a necessity for survival.

One of the most important challenges of the twenty-first century is environmental issues. Climate change, resource scarcity, and pollution are serious threats to the future of humanity. In the meantime, artificial intelligence can emerge as a hero. This technology can analyze complex climate data, predict weather patterns with greater accuracy, and help us in crisis management. It can also help increase food production with less water consumption by optimizing energy consumption in homes and industries or by making agricultural systems smarter. These capabilities make artificial intelligence a vital tool for achieving sustainable development and preserving the planet for future generations.

From a broader perspective, artificial intelligence is capable of acting as a unifying force. Imagine that artificial intelligence systems can quickly understand cultural and linguistic differences and create bridges for international communications. In today’s tense world, this technology can help facilitate diplomacy and mutual understanding between nations. Instead of focusing on competition and power, countries can use artificial intelligence to solve common global problems, including combating pandemics or poverty. This potential turns artificial intelligence into a catalyst for global cooperation and peace.

In the field of education, artificial intelligence can be a personal teacher for every individual. Smart educational systems can identify each student’s learning style and adjust the educational content based on their needs and learning speed. This method turns education from a uniform process for everyone into a personalized and effective experience. Artificial intelligence can help teachers identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and allow them to perform better by focusing more on individual needs. This revolution in education can increase literacy and skills all over the world.

Even in our daily lives, artificial intelligence can help improve the quality of life. From navigation systems that suggest the best route to our destination to smart home systems that optimize energy consumption, artificial intelligence is simplifying our lives. This technology helps us spend more time on things we love and use our time more effectively. Maybe in the near future, smart assistants will become an inseparable part of our lives, but not as a threat, but as a helper and companion.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence is a tool that can guide all aspects of our lives toward betterment. From medicine to the environment and education, the potential of this technology is endless. The fear of the unknown is natural, but if we let this fear dominate us, we will lose great opportunities. Artificial intelligence can help us get rid of many of the sufferings and limitations that we have struggled with throughout human history. This chapter showed only a small part of this potential, and now it is time to move toward a brighter and smarter future instead of being afraid.

This journey has just begun, and in the following, we will address the concerns that exist in your mind and many others. But before that, pause for a moment and think about how artificial intelligence can not only solve problems but also open new doors to opportunities that we have not even thought about yet. This is not just a technology, but a new path for growth and flourishing.

Chapter 2: Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Us?

Deep within us, a fear is lurking from the question: “What will happen to my job?” Perhaps this is one of the biggest concerns occupying our minds. This anxiety stems from the fact that throughout history, whenever a new technology has emerged, it has completely transformed our way of life. From the Industrial Revolution and the replacement of workers with machines to the Digital Revolution that made many traditional jobs obsolete, there have always been people whose positions were at risk. Artificial Intelligence is no exception, and many workers and professionals are now concerned that smart robots might replace them with greater speed and accuracy. This sense of anxiety is not a fantasy but a tangible reality that must be faced.

The fear of job loss is particularly high among those who perform repetitive and data-based tasks. Imagine you are an accountant who spends hours entering data and classifying financial documents. Now, artificial intelligence can do this in a fraction of a second and without the slightest error. Or maybe you are a translator who translates texts with great care. Today, smart translation software has taken on this task with unparalleled speed and accuracy. This concern is completely logical: when a machine can do a job better, faster, and cheaper, why would a company hire a human? This simple question is the foundation of a major and unsettling change in the structure of our society that has left many people confused about their professional future.

With the loss of repetitive jobs, another danger threatens society: increasing economic inequality. In this scenario, those who have the necessary skills to work with artificial intelligence and new technologies advance quickly and earn more. In contrast, people who work in repetitive jobs lose their jobs and lose their financial ability. This deeper gap can turn into a social crisis, where the rich and poor classes become more separated from each other and equal opportunities for everyone are lost. These conditions can lead to social tensions, public dissatisfaction, and instability, and for this reason, we must look for solutions to more fairly distribute wealth and opportunities.

However, it should also be noted that artificial intelligence does not necessarily destroy all jobs but changes their nature. In the past, a car driver had to have a lot of information about driving rules and skills, but in the future, self-driving car drivers may only act as observers who intervene in case of a problem in the AI system. This change leads us to jobs that require specific human skills. Skills such as creativity, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and empathy, which artificial intelligence is not currently capable of performing. This change is a challenge, but at the same time, it is an opportunity for humans to turn to the more human aspects of their existence.

But the question is, how can we prepare for this change? The answer lies in continuous learning and developing new skills. In the future world, having a university degree for a whole career is no longer enough. We must continuously update our skills and welcome learning as a permanent process. Instead of competing with artificial intelligence, we must learn how to cooperate with it. For example, a graphic designer can use artificial intelligence to quickly generate initial ideas and then turn them into works of art with their creativity and artistic taste. This collaboration increases productivity and allows humans to focus on the more complex and creative aspects of work.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to look at artificial intelligence as an enemy. This way of thinking puts us in a defensive position and prevents us from seeing the opportunities. Artificial intelligence is a tool, and like any other tool, how it is used depends on humans. We can use it to create a better and more just future, or we can allow it to become a destructive factor. The choice is ours, but this choice is only possible with awareness and a deep understanding of the phenomenon of artificial intelligence.

The fear of change is a natural human reaction. Throughout history, whenever society has faced a new technology, these anxieties have existed. From the invention of the printing press that made scribes unemployed to the arrival of computers that made many jobs obsolete. But history teaches us that not all jobs are ever destroyed; rather, the nature of work changes and new jobs are created. We must learn from history and instead of resisting change, prepare ourselves for it. We must look for ways to adapt and use new technologies to improve our lives.

We are entering an era where human skills become more valuable than ever. Artificial intelligence can analyze data, but it cannot extract a new idea from human emotions and experiences. It cannot write an inspiring story, or create a work of art that touches the audience’s heart. These abilities are exclusively for humans. Therefore, our professional future depends on how much we can focus on these human abilities and develop them.

This chapter shows that people’s concerns about artificial intelligence are not just baseless fears but are rooted in facts that must be taken into account. But at the same time, this concern should not prevent us from seeing the bigger picture. Artificial intelligence poses great challenges, but it also creates great opportunities. This chapter only dealt with a part of these challenges, and in the following, we will address deeper concerns such as artificial intelligence getting out of control and the ethics of its creators.

Ultimately, we must face the fact that the future of work will not be like the past. This is not a choice but a reality. The important question is how we, as a society and as individuals, respond to this reality. Do we allow this change to defeat us, or do we use it as an opportunity for growth and flourishing? This question is a topic that we will discuss further.

Chapter 3: Will Artificial Intelligence Get Out of Control?

Why do machines always rebel against humans in science fiction stories? This fear has deep roots in our subconscious, a fear of a power that we ourselves created getting out of our control one day. This concern is not just a cinematic fantasy but a topic that has occupied the most serious scientific and philosophical minds. Is it really possible for artificial intelligence to become so intelligent one day that it no longer needs humans and even threatens our lives? This chapter is a journey into the heart of these existential concerns, where the line between science and fiction becomes thinner than ever, but do not forget that fear should not prevent us from seeing the reality.

To understand these concerns, we must first understand the difference between current artificial intelligence and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The artificial intelligence we deal with today is called narrow artificial intelligence. These systems can only perform a specific task: translating, facial recognition, or playing chess. They have no consciousness and cannot think, learn, and make decisions in various fields like a human. In contrast, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is intelligence that can think and learn in any field like a human or even better than them. This is what can potentially get out of our control because it is no longer limited by our instructions and can set its own goals.

The biggest danger regarding Artificial General Intelligence is the risk of misalignment. This risk means that even if we design a very powerful artificial intelligence with good intentions, it may lead to catastrophic results due to an error in defining its goals. For example, suppose we instruct an artificial intelligence to “make humanity happy.” A smart system may conclude that the best way to make all humans happy is to connect their brains to a permanent, controlled virtual reality. Or if we tell it to “maximize the production of paper clips,” it may dedicate all the resources of the planet to this task and eliminate humans because they are obstacles to this work. In this case, the artificial intelligence has done its job “correctly,” but the result is not what we wanted.

But why should we take these concerns seriously? Because these issues are not just a theory, but a serious engineering and ethical challenge that we must think about solving right now. Scientists are trying to find solutions to ensure that artificial intelligence in the future is aligned with human values and ethics. This is a very difficult task because human values are complex and sometimes contradictory. If we cannot solve this problem, we may have an intelligent partner with different and unpredictable goals next to us in the future.

Fortunately, the scenario of artificial intelligence getting out of control has a fundamental difference from what we see in Hollywood movies. In movies like “Terminator,” artificial intelligence (Skynet) becomes conscious and rebels against humans with emotions such as hatred and the desire for power. But experts say this scenario is less likely. Current artificial intelligence and even artificial general intelligence do not have consciousness or human emotions. The main concern is not that artificial intelligence “intends” to destroy us, but that it will harm us “unintentionally” due to our mistake in defining its goals.

This difference gives us hope that there is still an opportunity to control this phenomenon. By understanding this danger correctly, we can think of a solution to an engineering and ethical problem instead of fearing an enemy. This is where our role as humans becomes prominent. We must apply intelligence, responsibility, and ethics in the development of artificial intelligence to use this powerful technology to build a better future, not to destroy ourselves.

These concerns force us to think about the future. We are currently at a historical turning point. We can guide the path toward a brighter future by enacting laws, supporting ethical research, and increasing public awareness. If we are indifferent to these concerns, we may face consequences in the future that are impossible to reverse.

Therefore, people’s concern about artificial intelligence getting out of control is not a baseless fear. This concern is a serious warning that makes us alert and act. The future of artificial intelligence will be shaped by those who create it and those who use it. This chapter showed only a small part of the complexities of this issue, and in the following chapters, we will address the solutions and our role in this process.

Instead of being paralyzed by fear, we must use these concerns as a driving force for progress and action. A future in which artificial intelligence is aligned with humans is not only possible but necessary. This path begins right now, from the moment we start thinking about finding a solution instead of worrying and accept our responsibility for the future.

Chapter 4: Can We Trust the Designers of Artificial Intelligence?

Have you ever asked yourself, who is behind the scenes of this amazing technology? What are their beliefs and values? This concern that the designers of artificial intelligence might not be good people and design it for personal or profit-driven purposes is a completely human concern. This feeling stems from the fact that we know very well that history is full of examples where power in the hands of a few has led to corruption and tyranny. Can we trust a small group of people in big tech companies to take over the future of humanity? This chapter addresses this deep question and examines the fine line between progress and the abuse of power.

One of the biggest ethical concerns is the monopoly of power in the development of artificial intelligence. Currently, large tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft are at the forefront of AI development. This monopoly raises concerns because these companies are ultimately accountable to profitability and not to the public good. In such a situation, decisions may be made that benefit shareholders but are at the expense of society, such as developing a system that eliminates jobs without caring about its social consequences. This monopoly means that a large part of our future is being designed and planned by a few people in a few limited places.

Therefore, there is a concern that the goals of the AI designers are not aligned with the goals of society. Every engineer and every team working on an artificial intelligence system unconsciously incorporates their own values and biases into its design. If these teams lack diversity, the systems they design may also reflect their biases. For example, if a development team consists only of white men, their artificial intelligence may perform more poorly in facial recognition of people of color or women. This can lead to inequality and injustice in society, from hiring and loaning to criminal justice systems.

In addition, many advanced artificial intelligence systems act like a black box. This means that even the designers themselves cannot fully explain how the artificial intelligence reached a specific decision. This lack of transparency can become a very serious ethical concern. If artificial intelligence decides who should be given a mortgage or who should be accepted in a job interview, and we cannot understand the reason for this decision, how can we be sure that discrimination or injustice has not occurred? This lack of transparency provides the ground for abuse and secrecy and destroys public trust in this technology.

These concerns lead us to the conclusion that complete trust in the designers of artificial intelligence is not possible and requires supervision and strict regulations. We cannot just sit and hope that good people are designing these systems. Just as there are strict rules and regulations for pharmaceutical companies, similar laws must be enacted for the development of artificial intelligence to ensure the health and safety of society. These laws must guarantee transparency in algorithms, accountability for AI decisions, and punishment for possible abuses.

It should also be noted that these concerns should not lead to the paralysis or complete cessation of artificial intelligence development. Rather, they should become a driving force for the ethical and responsible development of this technology. This is where our role as a society becomes prominent. We must ask governments and companies to prioritize ethics and human values instead of focusing only on power and profit. We must move toward creating an artificial intelligence aligned with human values.

These concerns lead us to ask, “Should artificial intelligence do this?” instead of “Can artificial intelligence do this?” This change in mindset is the starting point for the development of an artificial intelligence that is not only smart but also fair and ethical. These ethical questions are the core of artificial intelligence, and without answering them, we cannot trust the future of this technology.

Ultimately, we must accept that artificial intelligence is a mirror in which the good and bad of humanity are reflected. If its designers seek the public good, artificial intelligence will also move in the right direction. But if they seek personal power and profit, artificial intelligence can also become a destructive tool. Therefore, our trust in this technology depends on our trust in our own humanity.

This chapter only addressed a part of the ethical concerns about the designers of artificial intelligence, and in the next chapter, we will address practical solutions to face these challenges. But before that, pause for a moment and think about how our human values can be a roadmap for the development of a fair and ethical artificial intelligence.

Chapter 5: What is the Solution?

After a deep examination of fears and concerns, it is now time to move on to the most important and constructive part of this journey: finding a solution. It’s completely natural to feel scared about the future, but this fear should not lead us to inaction. We cannot stop the progress of artificial intelligence, but we can guide its path in a way that benefits humanity. This chapter is a practical roadmap for facing the challenges that have been raised; from personal preparation for job changes to creating an ethical and legal framework at the global level. The solution is in our hands, and from the moment we start to act, we build the future.

The first and most important step for every individual is to prepare for changes in the job market. We must let go of the belief that one stable job is enough for our entire life. In the future world, learning will be a lifelong process. Instead of competing with artificial intelligence, we must learn how to have it as a powerful tool alongside us. For example, a lawyer can use artificial intelligence to quickly analyze thousands of cases to focus more on the human aspects and advising their client. Soft skills like creativity, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking will become more valuable than ever. These skills allow us to adapt to changes in any situation and find our role in the new society.

At the macro level, international rules and regulations are essential for the responsible development of artificial intelligence. Just as there are strict laws for the production of drugs, weapons, or cars, artificial intelligence also needs these laws. Governments must cooperate with each other to establish frameworks that prevent the abuse of this technology. These laws must include ensuring transparency in algorithms, accountability for AI decisions, and prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence for inhumane purposes. These laws act like a red line that tells companies and researchers how far they can go and prevents harm to society.

One of the most important areas that must be invested in is the ethics of artificial intelligence. This field seeks ways to align artificial intelligence with human values. The goal is to ensure that artificial intelligence in the future is not only intelligent but also fair, just, and ethical. For this purpose, research teams and universities in this field must be strengthened so that they can find solutions to control very advanced smart systems. This work must be pursued seriously and globally to prevent possible catastrophes.

Also, diversity in artificial intelligence development teams is of great importance. As mentioned before, the biases of the designers can be transferred to artificial intelligence. To prevent this from happening, development teams must be composed of people with different cultural, racial, gender, and intellectual backgrounds. This diversity allows the designed systems to see the world from different angles and make fairer decisions. When a team is composed of diverse people, the probability of them overlooking a specific problem or bias becomes lower.

Our role as a consumer and citizen is also very important. We must ask ourselves if the technologies we use are ethical. Do they respect our privacy? By increasing public awareness, we can put pressure on companies and governments to move toward responsible development. This power is in the hands of each and every one of us if we use it correctly. By supporting companies that adhere to ethical principles and protesting against those that violate these principles, we can change the path of the future.

These solutions lead us to the conclusion that the future of artificial intelligence is not only built by experts and companies but is also shaped by each and every one of us in society. This is a shared responsibility that we all participate in. This chapter shows us that instead of worrying, we can act and play an active role in shaping the future.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence is a tool that can be used for good or evil. It is like a knife; you can peel a fruit with it or harm someone. The decision about how to use this tool is up to us. The solution lies in accepting this responsibility and acting upon it.

This chapter only addressed a part of the solutions, and in the following, we will provide a final summary of all the discussions. But before that, think one more time about how by changing your perspective from a worried person to an active person, you can help a brighter future.

Chapter 6: Final Conclusion

Throughout this journey, we have delved into the depths of our fears and hopes regarding artificial intelligence. From its life-saving potential in medicine and science to concerns about job loss and the risk of getting out of control. The question of whether artificial intelligence is our savior or destroyer does not have a black-and-white answer; rather, it is a gray spectrum that depends on our choices. This chapter is the final summary of all the previous discussions, an invitation to wake up and a step toward accepting responsibility for the future. This book is not just a theory, but a roadmap for living in the age of artificial intelligence.

After all these discussions, should people be worried? The short and clear answer is: yes, they should be worried. But this worry should not be mistaken for fear and panic. Worry is a smart reaction to a real and understandable danger. It is worry that makes us think, prepare, and act. If we are not worried, we become indifferent to the dangers and allow our fate to be shaped by forces that are not in our control. Worry acts like a warning bell that tells us: “Be alert, you must do something.”

The main philosophy of this book is that: worry should lead to awareness and constructive action, not to fear and inaction. Fear is paralyzing. Fear drives us into a corner and prevents our growth. But awareness is power. When we know what the dangers of artificial intelligence are, we can look for solutions. When we understand how to use artificial intelligence as a tool, we can resist job changes and even achieve greater success. This book has taught you that you can have an active role in shaping the future by continuous learning, demanding transparent laws from governments, and supporting the ethical development of artificial intelligence.

The final message of this journey is a simple but powerful truth: the future of artificial intelligence is in the hands of humans themselves. Artificial intelligence is neither good nor bad on its own, but a powerful tool that can be used in both directions. It is us who define its goals, us who write its laws, and us who decide how to use it. If we act with awareness and responsibility, we can use artificial intelligence to create a new golden age for humanity, an age in which many sufferings and problems are solved and humans reach their full potential.

This book is not the end of a discussion but the beginning of a new way of thinking. A way of thinking in which we take responsibility for our future instead of being a victim. Let our worries turn into a driving force for progress, not a barrier against it. Remember that every choice we make today about artificial intelligence shapes our tomorrow. From now on, the choice is yours.

Chapter 7: The Reframing Technique

Throughout this book, we have talked about the concerns that occupy our minds: the fear of losing our jobs, the fear of artificial intelligence getting out of control, and the worry about its creators. These feelings are often the result of our perception of reality, not reality itself. There is a powerful technique in psychology and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) called Reframing that helps us change the meaning of an event by changing our mental framework. This technique is especially useful for artificial intelligence.

What is Reframing?

Reframing, in simple terms, means looking at a situation from a new angle. Instead of being stuck in the framework of a problem, we try to change its framework to see the opportunities. For example, if the fear of losing your job terrifies you, you can reframe it as an opportunity to learn new skills and enter a field you have always loved. Reframing is a mental tool that allows us to turn negative emotions into positive ones.

One of the main applications of reframing in facing the fear of artificial intelligence is changing the attitude from “threat” to “tool.” Instead of looking at artificial intelligence as a destructive force that takes your job, consider it a powerful tool that can help you with your work. This is a small change in vocabulary, but it has a big impact on your mindset. When an office worker sees artificial intelligence as a colleague that can do their repetitive tasks, they no longer fear it; rather, they look for ways to use it to increase their productivity.

How to Use the Reframing Technique?

You can use this technique in your daily life with simple exercises. Every time a negative thought about artificial intelligence comes to you, ask yourself: “Is there another way to look at this issue?” For example, if you think, “Artificial intelligence will take my job,” try to reframe it as, “Artificial intelligence gives me the opportunity to learn new skills.” This mental exercise, over time, will make your mind automatically look for solutions, not just problems.

Remember that reframing does not mean denying reality, but rather finding the positive and constructive aspects in every reality. We cannot stop the progress of artificial intelligence, but we can change its impact on our lives by changing our perspective. This technique gives us the power to take control of our emotions and step into the future with more confidence instead of being a victim.