AI is capable of remarkable feats. And has the power to kill. Meet one woman warning about the dangers ahead

AI is capable of remarkable feats. And has the power to kill. Meet one woman warning about the dangers ahead

AI is capable of remarkable feats. And has the power to kill. Meet one woman warning about the dangers ahead

https://fortune.com/2026/03/12/ai-capable-remarkable-feats-power-to-kill-dangers-ahead-kate-crawford-letter-from-london/

Publish Date: 2026-03-12 07:14:00

Source Domain: fortune.com

Here’s an organized summary based on key points of the article:

  • Technological Development: The article starts with the evolution of technology from matchlock guns in the 15th century to contemporary advancements like drone swarms and AI-enabled warfare, highlighting historical roots of current technology.

  • Philosophical Speculations: It references historical foresight by Giovanni Borelli on machines mimicking animals and modern discussions by Elon Musk about robots’ capability to execute human tasks.

  • Artistic Perspectives: A 24-meter mural titled “Calculating Empires” at the Design Museum in Barcelona is featured, showcasing the journey from ancient technologies like the Peruvian quipu to modern data systems, emphasizing the historical context of current tech shifts.

  • Authorship and Intent: The mural, co-created by Kate Crawford and Vladen Joler, urges reflection on who controls technological developments and their implications, indicating the importance of stakeholder roles in shaping technological rules.

  • AI Standards and Concerns: The article stresses the urgency for human-centric standards in AI development; the lack of set standards makes it crucial to ensure AI’s beneficial usage while avoiding vulnerabilities.

  • Artificial Intelligence Debate: Discussions at Mobile World Congress cover the meaning of intelligence, the potential arrival of artificial general intelligence, and the associated risks including “short-term dystopia.”

  • Societal Impact: There is an emphasis on the profound societal changes AI may bring, including privacy concerns and the need for clear accountability mechanisms in AI deployment.

  • Future Implications: The article anticipates AI agents’ pervasive roles in daily life and the challenge of maintaining privacy, stressing that substantial and urgent discussions are necessary.

By focusing on these aspects, the article paints a comprehensive picture of historical, philosophical, and contemporary concerns surrounding technological progress and its profound global implications.