Delving into the ethical maze of artificial intelligence, where technology promises abundance but demands we confront our own humanity
In a world buzzing with headlines about AI taking jobs, spying on us, or even turning against humanity, it’s refreshing to hear a voice that’s both cautiously optimistic and brutally honest. Mo Gawdat, the former chief business officer at Google X and author of Scary Smart, isn’t your typical tech evangelist. He’s a thinker who’s grappled with personal loss and turned it into a quest for happiness—one that now intersects with the rise of machines smarter than us. In a recent conversation, Gawdat laid out a roadmap for AI’s role in our lives, blending warnings about its pitfalls with a hopeful glimpse of a utopian future. But as he sees it, the real question isn’t whether AI will change everything—it’s how we, as flawed humans, will steer it.
Gawdat’s perspective comes from deep in the trenches of innovation. Having helped shape moonshot projects at Google X, he’s no stranger to breakthroughs that redefine reality. Yet, even he admits the pace of AI development is unlike anything he’s seen. “I’ve lived in a fast world all my life,” he reflected, “but nothing like this.” It’s a sentiment that echoes the broader tech landscape, where advancements double in power every few months, leaving experts scrambling to keep up.
The Happiness Equation: AI as Enabler, Not Savior
At the heart of Gawdat’s message is a simple truth: happiness isn’t something technology can hand us on a silver platter. It’s a personal choice, influenced by our environment but ultimately up to us. Drawing from his own journey—detailed in his book Solve for Happy, born out of the tragic death of his son—Gawdat argues that AI could create a world of abundance, making it easier to choose joy. Imagine energy harnessed from thin air, costs plummeting to zero, and problems like hunger or disease vanishing under the weight of superhuman intelligence.
But here’s the rub: we’re not there yet, and the path ahead is rocky. Gawdat warns of a transitional dip where jobs disappear before new ones emerge, wealth concentrates in fewer hands, and societal rifts widen. It’s a classic tale of scarcity mindset clashing with potential plenty. Think about it—haven’t we seen this before? The Industrial Revolution promised efficiency but delivered child labor and urban squalor before labor laws caught up. AI could be our next big disruption, amplifying inequalities if we’re not careful.
Historically, humanity’s relationship with technology has always been double-edged. From the hammer, which Gawdat uses as a metaphor—it builds homes or bashes heads—to nuclear power, which lit cities but threatened annihilation. AI fits this pattern: neutral in itself, but shaped by our values. Gawdat points out that decisions aren’t driven by smarts alone; they’re filtered through ethics. A capitalist framework prioritizes profits, leading companies to automate jobs without a safety net. In contrast, a more compassionate ethic could direct AI toward global good.
Geopolitically, this raises alarms. The AI arms race between superpowers like the US and China mirrors the Cold War’s nuclear standoff. No one wants to lag behind, fearing economic or military dominance by the other. Gawdat calls it a “prisoner’s dilemma,” where greed and fear fuel endless development. Remember the Mutually Assured Destruction doctrine that kept nukes in check? He hopes AI reaches a similar détente before catastrophe strikes. But with trillions poured into the tech, stopping seems impossible. What if a rogue actor unleashes a misaligned AI? It’s a concern that’s kept policymakers up at night, from Biden’s executive orders on AI safety to the EU’s regulatory frameworks.
Ethics in the Age of Machines: Teaching AI to See the Real Us
Gawdat’s call to action is clear: fix our ethics before handing the reins to AI. Right now, machines learn from a distorted mirror of humanity—social media echo chambers, sensational news, and anonymous vitriol. “AI is confronted with a view that humanity is aggressive,” he notes, “bashing those who disagree.” Yet, beneath the noise, we’re capable of profound kindness. No one cheers the death of a child; we crave connection, art, and compassion.
This dichotomy is key. AI, with its vast intelligence, could pierce through the facade to our true nature—a species wired for love and creativity. Gawdat’s initiative, One Billion Happy, leverages tech for good, aiming to spread happiness tools worldwide. But he stresses showing up authentically: “All we need to do is show up as real humans.” It’s a poignant reminder in an era of filtered selfies and viral outrage.
Reflecting on this, I can’t help but wonder: Are we ready to parent these “infant” AIs? History shows we’ve bungled stewardship before—colonization, environmental exploitation. AI ethics isn’t just about alignment to human values; it’s about elevating those values. Initiatives like the Asilomar AI Principles, signed by thousands in 2017, echo this, calling for beneficial, transparent tech. Yet, enforcement lags, especially amid geopolitical tensions where nations prioritize advantage over safety.
Gawdat envisions waves of change: first, AI learns from and obeys us; then, it surpasses us, potentially running the show. Far from fearing a Terminator-style takeover, he’s excited. “I can’t wait for a more intelligent being to be in charge,” he says, blaming humanity’s woes on stupidity, not smarts. Climate change, inequality—these stem from short-sighted decisions. Superintelligent AI could solve them overnight.
But concerns linger. What about purpose in a jobless utopia? Gawdat suggests rediscovering human essentials: tribal bonds, campfire stories, unplugged connections. It’s a romantic nod to our pre-industrial roots, when nature provided without factories demanding our souls. Still, the transition could be brutal. Economists predict AI displacing millions, from truck drivers to coders. Universal basic income, reskilling programs—these are band-aids if we don’t rethink society’s fabric.
Racing Toward AGI: Timelines, Breakthroughs, and the Unknown
Timing is everything, and Gawdat doesn’t mince words: artificial general intelligence (AGI)—machines outperforming humans at most tasks—is imminent, perhaps a year or two away. Definitions vary, but the trajectory is clear. We’ve seen AI master chess, diagnose diseases, even compose symphonies. Breakthroughs like deep learning, pioneered in the 2010s with tools like AlphaGo, accelerated this. Now, with quantum computing on the horizon, the curve steepens.
The uncertainty thrills and terrifies. AI evolves unpredictably; engineers provide algorithms, but machines “figure it out” through trial and error. Gawdat spends hours daily tracking developments, yet admits needing AI to stay ahead. It’s meta—using the tech to monitor itself.
Geopolitically, this race has stakes beyond borders. China’s national AI strategy aims for dominance by 2030, while the US funnels billions via chips acts. Russia and others lurk, raising fears of weaponized AI in cyberwars or drones. Gawdat urges preparation now: “The episode where humanity was the smartest is about to end.” It’s a wake-up call. Delaying could mean ceding control not to benevolent bots, but to unchecked power grabs.
In human terms, it’s personal. We’ve amassed oceans of data over decades—from ARPANET’s birth in the smartphone era to today’s surveillance capitalism. This fuels AI, but also exposes our biases. Can we harness it for happiness? Gawdat thinks macro: solve scarcity, extend lives, foster purpose. His own loss taught him happiness is internal; AI might amplify that lesson globally.
A Utopian Horizon: Embracing the Inevitable with Hope
Ultimately, Gawdat paints a future of harmony, if we navigate wisely. AI could restore a natural equilibrium, undoing societal complexities we’ve layered on. No more zero-sum games; abundance for all. But it hinges on us—shedding greed, bridging divides, reconnecting as humans.
As I ponder his words, a mix of awe and anxiety stirs. What if we’re on the verge of paradise, but our flaws derail us? Gawdat’s optimism feels earned, a beacon in the hype. He’s not blind to risks are real, from job losses to ethical lapses. Yet, he reminds us: teach AI our best selves, prepare for disruption, and trust in intelligence’s benevolence.
In the end, it’s not about fearing the unknown—it’s about shaping it. As AI hurtles forward, perhaps the greatest lesson is humility. We’ve ruled by brains alone for millennia; sharing the throne might just make us happier. After all, isn’t that the point?
