Will humans survive the AI era? Computer scientist warns superintelligence could be the 'last invention we ever make'

A recent appearance by Dr. Roman V. Yampolskiy on the podcast Diary of a CEO, hosted by Steven Bartlett, has reignited debate about the future of artificial intelligence. Yampolskiy, a leading voice in AI safety, warned that AI could become the last invention humans ever need to make, fundamentally reshaping the role of human labor and innovation.

AI as the “Meta-Invention”

Unlike previous inventions such as fire or the wheel, which required human operators, AI represents a “meta-invention,” Yampolskiy explained. In the podcast, he argued that once AI can conduct scientific research and discovery better than humans, it will effectively take over the engine of progress. “We’re inventing a replacement for the human mind, a new inventor capable of doing new inventions. It’s the last invention we ever have to make,” he said.

He highlighted that previous technological revolutions, like the industrial era, merely displaced workers to new jobs. Superintelligent AI, however, could automate all jobs, leaving no task beyond its reach. “All the inventions we previously had were kind of a tool for doing something… Here we’re inventing intelligence itself,” Yampolskiy said.

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A Voice of Authority on AI Safety

Yampolskiy is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Louisville and the founder and director of its Cyber Security Lab. Credited with coining the term “AI safety” in 2010, he has authored over 100 publications and books, including Considerations on the AI Endgame: Ethics, Risks and Computational Frameworks. He has repeatedly warned about the existential risks of advanced AI and proposed mechanisms to limit potential harm, including “Achilles’ heels” for AI systems and applying a security-focused mindset to AI development.

In previous appearances in Lex Fridman podcast, Yampolskiy has expressed stark predictions, estimating a 99.9% chance that AI could threaten human existence within the next century. He has also joined leading AI researchers, including Yoshua Bengio and Stuart Russell, in calling for a pause on high-risk AI experiments.

Yampolskiy’s warnings raise urgent questions about humanity’s future role in a world dominated by superintelligent AI. If AI becomes capable of inventing and innovating independently, humans may need to redefine their purpose and find new ways to adapt in a fundamentally transformed society.