Are humans becoming obsolete? David Duvenaud on AI’s growing dominance
SRI Chair David Duvenaud’s op-ed in The Guardian explores the impact of AI on human relevance and suggests strategies for adapting to ensure we aren't outpaced in every area of society.
In The Guardian, Schwartz Reisman Chair in Technology and Society David Duvenaud raises urgent questions about human relevance as AI advances. In “Better at everything: how AI could make human beings irrelevant” Duvenaud warns that while AI labs race to prevent rogue takeovers, a subtler, more immediate danger is unfolding: humans being quietly outcompeted by AI in every corner of society.
Duvenaud’s arguments build on findings from a recent paper he co-authored, “Gradual Disempowerment: Systemic Existential Risks from Incremental AI Development”. The paper examines the systemic risks posed by incremental advancements in artificial intelligence, developing the concept of ‘gradual disempowerment’, which is in contrast to the abrupt takeover scenarios commonly discussed in AI safety.
In decision-making, creativity, and even social interactions, AI is already improving upon human capabilities, Duvenaud argues. Recent studies show that AI-generated content is indistinguishable from human work, AI doctors receive higher ratings for bedside manner and AI assistants offer round-the-clock companionship. In light of these findings, Duvenaud asks, “What place will humans have when AI can do everything we do, only better?”
He states that in the future, it may be hard for businesses to justify hiring humans if they are perceived as not as good as the AI alternatives. “You’ll hear of friends losing jobs and having trouble finding new work,” argues Duvenaud. “Companies will freeze hiring in anticipation of next year’s better AI workers. More and more of your own job will consist of accepting suggestions from reliable, charming and eager-to-please AI assistants.”
To counter this concerning future, Duvenaud lays out four proactive steps— tracking AI’s influence, oversight and regulation, strengthening people’s ability to organise and advocate for themselves, and learning how to steer our civilisation — to create a future where humans remain relevant.
Duvenaud’s call is for all of us to engage fully with the very real systems we’re building now. As AI grows more capable, it’s not just jobs or tasks at risk; it’s our agency, our institutions, and ultimately, our place in shaping the world. But this outcome isn’t inevitable. Duvenaud challenges us to recognize that this shift is underway and calls on us to act collectively now to shape a future where humans still matter.
Want to read more?
Read David Duvenaud’s op-ed in The Guardian.
Register today to watch Duvenaud speak at SRI’s 2025 Absolutely Interdisciplinary conference.
Watch Duvenaud’s presentation at SRI’s 2022 Seminar Series.
