The world is in a frenzy over AI, with a new documentary, Chasing Utopia, warning of impending doom. The film features Mo Gawdat, a former Google X executive, who predicts a future where humans are at the mercy of a malevolent AI, akin to HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Gawdat's message is clear: we must act now to prevent this catastrophe. But is he right? I argue that the fearmongering around AI is a modern-day equivalent of climate change hysteria, and it's not just a coincidence that these new 'ApocalyptAI' have emerged as the market for climate alarmism fades. The educated elite, it seems, have an insatiable appetite for doom-mongering, and they see AI as the new threat to humanity, with Big Tech taking the place of Big Oil. But why do they latch onto these fears so eagerly? It's simple: more regulation means more jobs for people like them. The expert class believes they can manage AI, despite their poor track record in handling other 'existential risks'. Chasing Utopia, with its dramatic visuals and emotional appeal, is a prime example of this emotional argument. However, history has shown that every new technology has been met with panic, and the public intellectuals' predictions about climate change have been proven unreliable. AI companies have a vested interest in safety, as a rogue chatbot could spell their doom. Moreover, the argument for more regulation is flawed, as it benefits well-resourced incumbents over startups. Encouraging diversity and competition is the key to a healthy AI sector. The real risks of AI are not to humanity's future but to civil rights. Policy-makers should focus on these issues rather than being distracted by the sci-fi fantasies of the ApocalyptAI. Chasing Utopia is a prime example of an unhelpful distraction, and we must be cautious of such alarmist predictions.
