We Better Be!
In his essay “Situational Awareness: The Decade Ahead,” AI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner lays out a compelling—and urgent—vision for the future of artificial intelligence.
His core claim? Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could arrive as early as 2027. Drawing from the rapid evolution of models like GPT-2 to GPT-4, Aschenbrenner argues that smarter-than-human systems are closer than we think. And when we get there, the world won’t just change—it could transform at an exponential pace.
He warns of a potential “intelligence explosion,” where AI systems begin improving themselves, compounding progress in months instead of decades. The result? Massive shifts in how we live, work, and govern.
But such breakthroughs won’t come without challenges.
To power this future, we’ll need industrial-scale computing—vast data centers, enormous electricity capacity, and multi-billion-dollar investments. And with that comes national security risks. Aschenbrenner emphasizes the danger of espionage from rival states and the urgent need to protect AI developments.
Perhaps most importantly, he highlights the alignment problem: how do we ensure superintelligent systems reflect human values and goals? Without careful oversight, even helpful AI could lead to unintended—and dangerous—outcomes.
While some argue his timeline is aggressive, few deny the core truth: AI is moving fast, and society isn’t ready.
Aschenbrenner’s message is a wake-up call. The next few years could define our century. Leaders, developers, and policymakers must prepare now—not later.
Because ready or not, the AI decade is here. We better be ready!
