We're in an AI arms race, and AI data centers are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they require a lot of resources, and AI can be used for nefarious purposes. On the other hand, if we don't develop AI, other countries, like China, will dominate us. But for the first time in history, we have the ability to track and monitor every person on the planet 24/7. That's an awful lot of power, and the temptation to misuse it is great. Ultimately, I think AI will be part of the beast system.
So, basically a god, and people will start treating it as a replacement god. Some people actually want that, and that is the danger. There is also the concern we could become too dependent on AI. We could basically become like the Eloi in The Time Machine. We're going into uncharted territory here, and there are legitimate concerns where this technology could lead us.
How would we truly know if it were self-aware? Consciousness is subjective by nature. But I think it could get to the point where it would be impossible to distinguish from simulated self-awareness or actual self-awareness.
Even if it could do a better job, what would be the cost? We could become entirely dependent on it. Or it could decide it doesn't need us anymore, or worse yet, it would be better off if humans didn't exist. We're dealing with the rule of unintended consequences here.
Good luck with that. There's no way to keep that genie in the bottle.
