'Sapiens' author says the real AI timeline is 200 years — but the 'lack of concern' today is what scares him most (www.businessinsider.com)

Yuval Noah Harari, renowned historian and author, recently voiced his concerns about the misjudgment of AI's long-term impact at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He argues that while many perceive AI progress in short-term increments, true understanding requires a 200-year perspective. Harari likens the current AI landscape to the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing that the substantial social and geopolitical repercussions of transformative technologies often unfold unpredictably over generations. He cautions against the complacency of powerful decision-makers who prioritize immediate returns over the profound, long-term consequences of AI development. Harari's critique underscores a significant issue within the AI/ML community: the tendency to overlook the complex, often unforeseen ramifications of deploying powerful technologies. As he points out, while immediate accidents can be tested for, the geopolitical and cultural implications of AI cannot be predicted in advance. This mindset could potentially lead to societal upheaval and challenges that remain beyond our current grasp. His call to elevate the discourse around AI's implications serves as a crucial reminder for stakeholders in the tech industry to consider a broader temporal framework in their decision-making processes.