By ABC Religion & Ethics
Publication Date: 2026-02-17 06:48:00
We just don’t know what to expect – for most people, this is the most frustrating part of the AI revolution. Will AI technology be available to every single job and, if so, create the need for a universal basic income? And what are the long-term consequences if that happens? Or is this all a bubble that will soon burst?
The unknown is the most disturbing part. When it comes to conversations about the future of artificial intelligence – at least in the developed world and emerging markets – people seem to fall into three groups:
- those who are optimistic and see AI as a great opportunity for profit;
- those fearful of losing their jobs and migrating to work they believe is “AI safe”;
- and those who remain largely naive and still think that AI is little more than a glorified search engine.
Regardless of where individuals and societies stand in the AI debate, the revolution is already here and already changing the world. When the Romans built roads, the empire…