Computers Quote by Joseph Weizenbaum
““I cannot tell why the spokesmen I have cited want the developments I forecast to become true. Some of them have told me that they work on them for the morally bankrupt reason that "If we don't do it, someone else will." They fear that evil people will develop superintelligent machines and use them to oppress mankind, and that the only defense against these enemy machines will be superintelligent machines controlled by us, that is, by well-intentioned people. Others reveal that they have abdicated their autonomy by appealing to the "principle" of technological inevitability. But, finally, all I can say with assurance is that these people are not stupid. All the rest is mystery.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: MIT AI Lab, 1976
People fear that uncontrolled AI will harm humanity, so they advocate building safe AI under good intentions, yet sometimes cite inevitability as excuse.
In simple terms: Fear of unsafe AI drives calls for responsible control.
Key Takeaway
Promote responsible AI development.
Themes
technology
ethics
future
risk
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- research labs
- public debate
- education
Key Concepts
AI safety
moral responsibility
technological determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards are realistic?
- Who decides what is “well‑intentioned”?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on control may ignore deeper societal issues.
