We’ve Seen This Supposed AI Steamroller Before

By Dana Mackenzie

You’re reading Superintelligent, a newsletter about AI.

September 22, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. EDT

The notion that artificial intelligence (AI) is an unstoppable force has circulated for years. Discussions often suggest AI will change various fields beyond recognition. Yet, history shows we’ve encountered such technologies before.

Past tech advancements, like the internet and smartphones, brought significant changes but didn’t lead to existential threats. They transformed industries and the way people interact, but they were guided and regulated over time.

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