Is AI Going to Kill Us All?

Craig Wilson
Nov 3
3 min read

👋 A Question I Keep Getting Asked…

Since starting my journey through the MIT AI Strategy programmes, I’ve been asked the same question many times:

“So… is AI going to kill us all?”

Now, I’ll admit—it’s a dramatic question. But in fairness, it’s also not entirely ridiculous. There are highly respected figures in the field who’ve raised genuine concerns about where all of this could lead.

So, let me give you my honest answer: It’s possible... but not probable. At least, not in the immediate future.

AI does carry risks—some of them existential. But most of the challenges we’re likely to face in the short-to-medium term won’t come from robots taking over. They’ll come from us.

👔 Let’s Talk About Jobs

One of the more realistic concerns people have (and understandably so) is about employment. Will AI replace workers? The short answer is: in some cases, it already has.

Creative industries, customer service, software development—AI is starting to do parts of these jobs faster and cheaper. But the keyword here is parts. These systems are still very dependent on humans for context, supervision, and often correction.

So while some job losses are happening, I’m not convinced we’re on the brink of mass unemployment just yet. That said, I don’t think we should be complacent either. The speed at which these tools are improving means the conversation around job displacement needs to move from theory to policy—fast.

⚠️ The Thing That Worries Me More: Bad Actors

If I had to choose one thing that genuinely concerns me, it’s not a rogue AI developing a god complex. It’s humans misusing AI for harmful purposes.

We're talking about:

Automated scams and fraud
Hyper-targeted political manipulation
Weaponised misinformation
Synthetic identities and fake media

These tools aren’t just theoretical—they’re in circulation now. And as they become more advanced and accessible, they'll be harder to detect and even harder to trace.

I don't want to sound overly alarmist, but the idea that sophisticated AI capabilities might end up in the hands of people with no ethical framework? That deserves serious attention.

🎭 Propaganda: It’s Not New, But It’s Evolving

Another thing I’ve been reflecting on is AI-generated propaganda.

Yes, it’s scary to think that anyone with a half-decent laptop might be able to generate a fake video of a world leader starting a war. But I also think we need to recognise that manipulating narratives isn’t new—governments and media organisations have been doing it for decades. What’s different now is the scale and ease with which anyone can do it.

When this power becomes widespread, the challenge becomes not just technological—it becomes social and psychological.

How do we teach people what’s real in a world where everything can be faked?

It’s a tough question. And we’re going to need better answers than just “put a watermark on it.”

🌍 There’s So Much Good on the Horizon

Now that I’ve thoroughly depressed you, let me shift gears—because here’s the thing: I’m still incredibly optimistic.

AI has the potential to do enormous good.

I’ve been particularly inspired by what I’ve learned in my second MIT course, which focused a lot on healthcare.We’re already seeing AI assist in diagnosing diseases earlier, personalising treatments, and streamlining hospital operations. In the years ahead, I truly believe AI will save lives, improve access, and help make healthcare more human—not less.

And as a creative technologist, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about what this means for artists, musicians, designers, and storytellers.There are tools now that let one person do what it used to take a whole team to produce.

That’s not just innovation—that’s liberation.

Some people will get rich from this. Others will create things the world’s never seen before.With a bit of luck and a lot of late nights, I’d like to think I might be one of them.

🏁 Final Thoughts: Massive Disruption, Massive Opportunity

To circle back to the original question:

Will AI kill us all?

Probably/hopefully not.

Will it change the world as we know it?

Without question.

And that’s why I’ve committed so much time and effort into understanding this technology—not just how it works, but how we can live and thrive alongside it.

There’s no doubt AI will disrupt jobs, systems, and industries. But it will also open doors for people who never had access before.