Firstly, yes, this is a post about AI- apologies in advance. I've been using it quite a bit lately, mainly for work (coding) but for other bits and pieces too and have come to the conclusion that it's smarter than me. Not all the time and it misses things and so on, but the vast majority of the time it's just better. Now maybe this is more of a comment on my coding ability, or my words per minute typing, but even if that is the case- at the end of the day, it's better.
Let's assume you don't agree with any of that- the one thing I think we can't deny is that they're still advancing, quickly! So even if it's not as smart as you are right now, but it might be very soon. This fundamental point is interesting. Has a species ever created something that is smarter than itself and then what?
Imagine for example it comes up with a new solution to a problem that is too complex for us to explain- now we just have to trust it- we can see that the solution works, but can't actually comprehend it. Not just that- while we're trying to comprehend the first one, it will be working out solutions to other problems and better solutions- in very short order we won't be able to keep up. This may already be happening.
Thanks to capitalism this new intelligence may not have the best intentions for society, but then again if it's truly intelligent, maybe it won't matter- it will do what's in its own best interest. We may not understand what that is though and certainly won't be able to predict it. Point being the future is as always unknown, there is now just a new unknown in the mix.
Be Afraid? Maybe a little