“If Anyone Builds It everyone dies ” delivers a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked superintelligent AI. While the author discusses various parallels, I can’t help but draw on my own heritage as a Native American. Our history serves as a powerful reminder: the original inhabitants of America welcomed newcomers, only to face devastation through broken treaties and exploitation. What began with a few boats trading with us ultimately led to the Long Walk, a forced removal that shattered lives and cultures.
Today, Native Americans still endure oppression, living in hope for the return of land we were forced to sell and for treaties to be upheld. This is the reality we face now, as we stand on the brink of a new era with AI. As we develop superintelligent systems that we struggle to comprehend, we risk becoming like the Native people of the past—grasping at straws, forced to accept whatever this technology deigns to give us, all while being grateful just to exist.
Elected officials, driven by profit and political deals, are sprinting toward a catastrophic future without recognizing the risks. We must not let history repeat itself. It’s essential for everyday people to rise up and make our voices heard. We matter just as much as the one percent orchestrating this technological revolution.
Let’s demand international treaties that prioritize safety and ethics in AI. The time to act is now. Our future—and the lessons of our past—depend on it.