Beyond Good and Bad
Trying to assign “good” or “bad” to how everything is unfolding with AI, or even with humanity’s broader trajectory, is an exercise in futility. The future is too complex, too dynamic, and too interconnected for us to predict its outcomes with certainty. What we label as “good” today might lead to unforeseen challenges tomorrow, and what we fear as “bad” may create opportunities we can’t yet imagine.
There is no universally “good” or “bad” direction for humanity—there is only the continuation of existence or not. Life moves forward, shaped by countless forces and decisions, and our role isn’t to control or label it but to engage with it meaningfully.
Why Focusing on “Good” or “Bad” is a Waste of Energy
- Unpredictability: The ripple effects of change are impossible to foresee. What seems like progress or disaster in the short term often looks entirely different over decades or centuries.
- Subjectivity: “Good” and “bad” are inherently subjective, shaped by individual values, cultures, and perspectives. What one person sees as beneficial, another might view as harmful.
- Distraction: Obsessing over moral judgments diverts energy from where it’s needed—adapting to change, creating solutions, and shaping the future intentionally.
The Reality of Existence
Instead of fixating on whether a particular technology, event, or direction is “good” or “bad,” we should focus on:
- Engagement: How can we contribute to and shape what’s happening?
- Adaptation: How can we navigate change in ways that enhance our experience of life?
- Continuity: What can we do to ensure the ongoing existence of humanity and the planet?
Key Insight
The debate over whether AI is “good” or “bad” is ultimately an abstract, philosophical argument that can’t be definitively resolved. What matters now is accepting the reality of AI’s presence and its transformative impact. By grounding ourselves in what is actually happening—AI’s accelerating integration into society—we gain clarity and the ability to adapt, align, and thrive within this new paradigm.
This isn’t about endorsing or rejecting AI; it’s about recognizing that this is the path we’re on and shifting focus to how we, as individuals and as a society, can navigate it meaningfully. Aligning with reality enables proactive thinking and action, rather than being stuck in resistance or theoretical arguments.
The question isn’t “Is AI good or bad?”—it’s “What kind of world do we want to build with this technology?”