AI’s Rise: Will Humanity Lose Control of Its Future?

Not far behind is DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup launched in 2023 by hedge fund High-Flyer. The platform has already amassed over 22 million daily users, and its open-source AI model has been integrated into Tencent, Baidu, and Alibaba’s ecosystems. In January, DeepSeek overtook ChatGPT to become the most downloaded app in the Apple Store’s US rankings. 

However, AI is evolving beyond its role as an information-processing tool. With its ability to apply reasoning models, AI can solve complex problems, generate hyper-personalised responses, and influence decision-making in ways that challenge human autonomy. As AI’s capabilities grow, so does our dependence on it—potentially leading to an era where humans no longer make critical decisions themselves. 

The Intention Economy: A Looming Psychological Shift 

A recent study by Cambridge University, Beware the Intention Economy, warns of AI’s potential to exploit personal data, analysing psychological patterns and online behaviour to anticipate and manipulate human responses. This could lead to deep-rooted dependency, as people increasingly trust AI to make choices on their behalf, altering social dynamics and cognitive autonomy. 

The risk? Humans may become tools—sources of data that AI processes faster, more thoroughly, and more rationally than we ever could. The notion of AI dictating our decisions isn’t far-fetched, and reCAPTCHA tests already force humans to prove their identity to a machine. 

AI’s Rational, Relentless Decision-Making 

Unlike humans, AI does not experience fatigue, bias, or emotional influence, making its decisions appear more rational and reliable. This advantage is evident in: 

• Finance & Business: AI now provides highly accurate market forecasts, manages resources efficiently, and optimises supply chains, giving companies that adopt it a competitive edge.
• Healthcare: AI-driven deep learning models are revolutionising genome analysis, providing hyper-personalised medical reports that outperform human diagnostics. For example, Heidelberg University developed an AI model for skin cancer detection with 95% accuracy, compared to 86.6% for human doctors. 

With such precision, human expertise may soon struggle to compete with AI’s decision-making capabilities. 

Big Data & IoT: The Future is Already Decided 

The 2016 US presidential election showcased AI’s political influence, with Big Data analysis used to micro-target voters. The Cambridge Analytica scandal further revealed how AI models can manipulate public opinion, questioning whether democracy itself is being undermined by AI’s ability to predict and shape voter behaviour. 

Beyond politics, the Internet of Things (IoT) is embedding AI into everyday infrastructure. Cities now rely on AI-driven sensors to monitor traffic and crowd flow, while the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) enables real-time health monitoring via smartwatches. In time, AI could even predict human lifespans based on accumulated health data—reshaping medicine from reactive treatment to predictive prevention. 

Blurring the Line Between Virtual and Reality 

AI is moving towards direct brain interaction, eliminating the need for screens or devices. Companies like Elon Musk’s Neuralink are developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that allow humans to merge with AI intelligence. 

But this presents ethical dilemmas: 

• Will people abandon the real world for AI-driven virtual realities?
• Will AI alter human experiences and values to favour machine-generated environments?
• Could social interactions disintegrate as AI replaces human companionship? 

Geopolitics: AI’s Role in Global Power Struggles 

As AI redefines economic and military supremacy, competition between the US and China is intensifying. Kasikorn Research Center suggests that while DeepSeek has yet to surpass OpenAI in capability, its rise has accelerated US innovation efforts. 

China’s Next-Generation AI Development Plan aims to establish it as the world’s AI leader by 2030, with companies like Alibaba and Baidu launching advanced models. Nations that fail to develop competitive AI risk becoming dependent ‘consumer states’ under the dominance of AI superpowers. 

Cybersecurity & Financial Risks 

AI’s ability to bypass high-level security systems within seconds poses a major financial threat. Potential risks include: 

• AI-driven cyberattacks targeting blockchain and financial markets.
• Cryptocurrency manipulation, leading to economic instability.
• The rise of AI-powered ‘cyber police’ to regulate other AIs—a solution that presents its own risks. 

AI & the Future of Education 

Contrary to fears that AI will eliminate human teachers, the World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests AI could enhance education rather than replace it. In South Korea, AI is already personalising learning experiences, tailoring textbooks to better meet student needs. 

However, AI-driven Education 5.0 will likely outpace traditional teaching methods, potentially making some forms of education obsolete. The challenge lies in integrating AI responsibly, ensuring that human cognitive development is not overtaken by automated learning processes. 

Conclusion: Retaining Human Control Over AI 

Corporations like CP Group are embracing AI through concepts such as the Bionic Organization of the Future—a model combining 70% human-driven decision-making and 30% AI integration. The goal is to balance AI-powered efficiency with human values, ensuring that technology augments rather than replaces human roles. 

But as AI takes on increasingly autonomous functions, we must ask ourselves: 

• Should we allow AI to dictate our decisions?
• Can we prevent total dependence on AI?
• Do we still possess the will to think independently? 

Or are we destined to respond to AI’s recommendations with a passive “OK, Computer”—signalling humanity’s ultimate submission to artificial intelligence? 

These are the questions we must confront today.