ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A SOURCE OF ALIENATION AND EXISTENTIAL THREATS

Abstract

This article attempts a comprehensive socio-philosophical reflection on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) systems on modern individuals and society. It substantiates the thesis that AI is a multifaceted phenomenon acting as a source of large-scale socio-cultural transformations offering both opportunities for self-actualization and profound existential risks. The study emphasizes that the pace of technological progress significantly outstrips philosophical reflection and the theoretical understanding of the consequences of implementing these technologies. The fundamental threats that AI poses to the human race are considered: the transformation of the labour market and the loss of meaning in life (the problem of mass unemployment caused by AI's ability to perform not only routine but also complex cognitive tasks in creative and intellectual fields), social injustice and algorithmic bias (the ‘black box’ phenomenon, through which the logic of AI decision-making remains opaque, leading to discrimination on ethnic, gender or religious grounds in areas such as law enforcement, education and recruitment), violation of personal autonomy (AI systems infringing on the human right to self-determination through manipulation, total surveillance and restrictions on the information space). The conclusions stress the necessity of developing philosophical principles and regulatory frameworks to ensure a human-centered approach to AI development. It is emphasized that only by maintaining the central position of the human being in the world and establishing clear ethical boundaries for the use of intelligent systems can negative consequences be minimized and the potential of AI be directed toward the benefit of civilization. Particular attention is paid to the fact that the existential threat formed by the fundamental integration of AI into social life requires the development and adoption of a comprehensive set of documents national strategies, legislative acts, ethical guidelines, and standards issued by state institutions, commercial structures, and international organizations to regulate the ethico-legal aspects of AI utilization.