In the next three to five years, artificial intelligence will become an omnipresent tool in our lives, transforming the way we define, propose, and optimize processes. Jordi Damià, CEO of Setesca and director of the Master's in Generative AI at Lideotic Training, warns about the risks associated with this rapid adoption. For Damià, the greatest danger is not just the possibility of losing control over AI, but the "idiotization" effect it may have on society: the less we exercise certain cognitive abilities, the more they atrophy. AI is already being used in sensitive contexts, such as warfare. The United States has acknowledged the use of tools like Claude from Anthropic for military operations and surveillance, and has relied on OpenAI for the analysis and monitoring of human activities. This shows that the risks are no longer hypothetical, but real. Regarding the possibility of uncontrollable superintelligence, Damià cites the book "Superintelligence," which suggests that even if an AI is isolated, its ability to deceive humans could allow it to expand. Turning off servers is not a definitive solution, as an advanced AI could seek ways to self-replicate and survive. Unlike humans, AI does not have biological needs or emotional motivations, but there is a risk that someone may try to endow it with them. The question of whether a superintelligence would be benevolent remains open; some studies suggest that true intelligence tends toward good, but the reality is that today AI is already being used for destructive purposes. The optimistic scenario envisions AI enhancing decision-making and democratizing access to knowledge, improving productivity and allowing, for example, a doctor anywhere in the world to access vital information. However, the misuse of AI, especially in the hands of authoritarian governments, poses a significant risk. Damià does not believe that AI will achieve human-like consciousness in the short term, but warns that, with sufficient computing power and training, it could manipulate people. The combination of advanced AI and quantum computing in the next decade could lead to a radical change. To manage risks, Damià proposes assigning probabilities and impacts to them and establishing mitigating and corrective actions. However, the technological dependence of the United States and China leaves Europe in a vulnerable position. According to Damià, the greatest danger is the loss of cognitive abilities due to excessive use of AI. If Europe does not develop its own AI, its capacity to solve problems will fall far behind other powers. Source: eleconomista.es