The ten fundamental questions about Artificial Intelligence: the future of humanity between ethics, power, and technology

The Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance has launched a new series of debates that promises to redefine the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.

The project, titled The Ten Reckonings of AGI, opens with a heated debate between two of the most authoritative voices in the sector: Dr Ben Goertzel, CEO of SingularityNET, and James Barrat, author of the book “Our Final Invention”. The first episode, “The Reckoning of Purpose”, tackles the crucial question: is humanity still capable of controlling the technology it is creating?

The Double-Edged Sword of AI Technology

James Barrat issues a clear warning:

“Technology is being used as a weapon to kill our fellow humans.”

According to Barrat, history teaches that every technological innovation is inevitably exploited for destructive purposes as well. A recent and dramatic example is the use of artificial intelligence systems in armed conflicts, as happened in Gaza, where AI was employed for lethal purposes.

Barrat emphasizes the urgent need for regulation and governance to prevent artificial intelligence from being manipulated by governments for harmful purposes.

Ben Goertzel’s Vision: Decentralization and Superior Morality

To this pessimistic view, Dr Ben Goertzel contrasts a more optimistic and radical approach. Goertzel argues that an open, decentralized, and democratic AI could prove to be more moral compared to the leaders of the world’s major powers:

“I am more concerned about killer machines of narrow AI controlled by humans leading our major countries, than about an autonomous and reflective AGI.”

According to him, developing an AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) oriented towards human well-being offers greater possibilities for progress compared to a wait-and-see position.

The ethical dilemma: we can, but should we?

The heart of the debate revolves around a fundamental ethical question:

“Just because we can build an AGI, should we do it?”

Barrat insists that every new technology is inevitably militarized, while Goertzel counters that an AGI designed for the common good could help humanity find new purposes and meanings, stimulating creativity and scientific research.

Goertzel sees the historical transition towards AGI as an opportunity to solve global problems such as hunger and diseases, but also to free humans from the toil of work, paving the way for new forms of personal fulfillment.

Barrat, on the other hand, warns:

“When AGI arrives and we are all unemployed, what will we do? If you introduce a universal basic income and pay everyone to do nothing, you risk having a society of unhappy and purposeless people.”

The Future of Work and the Meaning of Life

The debate then shifts to the future of work and the meaning of existence in a world dominated by automation. Barrat fears that liberation from work could result in a loss of autonomy, responsibility, and purpose. Goertzel, on the other hand, encourages not to fear change:

“We are in a phase of transition, as in every great turning point in human history. When AGIs eliminate the need to work and are smarter than us, the real issue will not be unemployment, but the type of development we choose for these technologies.”

The goal of ASI Alliance: an open, ethical, and democratic AI

Through the series The Ten Reckonings of AGI, the ASI Alliance – a global and decentralized network of AI and Web3 pioneers including SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and CUDOS – aims to bring these topics to the forefront of public debate. The alliance is committed to promoting the development of artificial intelligence that is open, ethical, and democratic, away from the exclusive control of large tech companies and governments.

THE TEN RECKONINGS OF AGI are ten critical, unanswered questions that will shape the future of humanity and our relationship with artificial intelligence, from narrow AI through human-level Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to Superintelligence.

This initiative builds on our… pic.twitter.com/JBVhhKF8op

— SingularityNET (@SingularityNET) June 6, 2025

The ASI Alliance also utilizes a common economic infrastructure through the token FET, which facilitates decentralized coordination among its members and supports the vision of a truly shared AI.

Who is Ben Goertzel?

Dr Ben Goertzel is one of the most multifaceted and visionary figures in the field of artificial intelligence. Founder of the SingularityNET Foundation, the OpenCog Foundation, and the AGI Society, Goertzel has also worked as Chief Scientist at Hanson Robotics, contributing to the development of the famous robots Sophia and Grace.

With over 25 books and 150 scientific publications to his credit, Goertzel is recognized as one of the most radical and independent voices in the global AI landscape.

An open debate on the future of humanity

The series The Ten Reckonings of AGI represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the moral, social, and existential issues that artificial intelligence raises. The discussion between Goertzel and Barrat highlights the complexity of the choices facing humanity: on one hand, the risk of a destructive use of technology; on the other, the hope that a democratic AI can help build a better future.

The question remains open: will we be able to guide artificial intelligence towards the common good, or will we be overwhelmed by it? The answer will depend on the choices we make today, the courage to face challenges, and the ability to imagine a future where technology and humanity can truly coexist.

To delve deeper into the debate, you can watch the first episode “The Reckoning of Purpose” promoted by the ASI Alliance, which invites everyone to participate in this global conversation on the fate of artificial intelligence.