“I’m more worried about the dangers of natural stupidity than artificial intelligence.”
My understanding
The rise of artificial intelligence sparks endless debates about its risks, but Yuval Noah Harari’s words offer a different perspective.
The real danger may not come from AI itself but from human ignorance, bias, and poor decision-making. Technology, after all, is a tool. It reflects the intentions of those who create and use it.
History shows that human errors, irrationality, and resistance to change have often caused more harm than any machine.
Wars, economic collapses, environmental destruction—these were not the result of AI but of human choices.
If we do not approach AI with wisdom and responsibility, it is not the technology that will destroy us, but our inability to use it correctly.
The greatest threat is not intelligence, artificial or otherwise. It is the lack of critical thinking, awareness, and ethical responsibility in those who wield power.
Instead of fearing AI, we should focus on educating ourselves, questioning our assumptions, and ensuring that human intelligence does not fail where artificial intelligence succeeds.
Source
Harari made this remark during his keynote address at the Times Litfest 2023, held at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi, India, on February 11–12, 2023.
Times Litfest 2023: Yuval Noah Harari on the future of human civilization
Reminds me
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“A fool with a tool is still a fool.” I don’t know who said that, but it reminds me that tools, no matter how advanced, don’t replace knowledge or skill.
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From Dieter Rams, “Limit everything to the essential, but do not remove the poetry.”
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From Bill Moggridge, “If there’s a simple, easy design principle that binds everything together, it’s probably about starting with the people.”
