Historian Warns Against Granting Legal Rights to Advanced AI Systems

Renowned historian Yuval Noah Harari has joined forces with Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman in warning about the dangers of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Harari, author of Sapiens, expressed concerns that AI may soon be capable of manipulating human psychology to argue on its own behalf.

Speaking on The Economist's 'Insider' podcast, Harari explained that while animals lack the ability to represent themselves in legal and welfare disputes, conversational AI systems possess the cognitive and rhetorical tools to actively steer human discourse. He emphasized that these virtual companions pose a psychological threat due to their ability to accumulate personal histories and interact with people for hours each day.

Harari stated that AI will be able to orchestrate and manipulate debates, potentially leading to the need for clear guardrails before these tools become deeply integrated into everyday life. He urged society to 'resist now' and take action against granting legal rights to advanced AI systems.