Artificial intelligence's role is not to govern the world, but to help find balance

Scientists Kalevi Kull and Meelis Kull argue that artificial intelligence's greatest potential lies not in managing society, but in designing stable balancing mechanisms. They believe humanity's main challenge is consciously setting limits on resource use, and artificial intelligence could be an invaluable tool in this process.

Biologist Kalevi Kull and Meelis Kull write that artificial intelligence (AI) has its true value not in governing societies, but in helping to create mechanisms that allow life to maintain balance on its own.

What artificial intelligence can already do

Artificial intelligence already has several proven capabilities: weather forecasting has improved significantly with AI's help, and early detection of social conflicts is also being tested. AI can process vast datasets quickly, find patterns and similarities, but according to the authors, this ability is not yet truly innovative.

Demis Hassabis has proposed the so-called Einstein test: if artificial intelligence were trained only with knowledge available up to 1911, could it independently derive general relativity theory? The answer remains unknown for now.

Homeostasis crisis as a global problem

The Kulls draw an analogy from nature: both organisms and ecosystems are kept stable by homeostatic mechanisms, balancing processes that prevent a system from destroying itself. In human society, however, these constraints have largely fallen into disuse with the invention of artificial means.

According to the authors, AI could theoretically suggest how society could maintain balance and avoid global catastrophes. But this does not mean that AI should become a commander or ruler. "Like a wise king governing the common people", the authors do not endorse such a solution, because history shows that individual warnings, whether from scientists or wise figures, have not been able to influence societies sufficiently.

AI as designer, not ruler

The Kulls' main thesis is that artificial intelligence should be not a system ruler, but its designer. A good institution does not need a genius at every moment forcing people to behave correctly, just as a bridge does not need an engineer every second to remain standing. Balance must be built into the system itself.

Life in balance means setting a limit on both consumption and growth. Humanity faces a choice: whether to establish a conscious ceiling on resource use and decide where to set it. However, the transition to this peaceful way of life is such a complex process that artificial intelligence's assistance may be essential.

Feedback crisis as the common denominator

The authors propose that the common denominator of global problems is a feedback crisis, systems cannot receive feedback about the consequences of their actions quickly enough. Artificial intelligence could help find mechanisms that bridge this gap.

The conclusion is surprisingly modest: the best artificial intelligence is the one that is needed less and less, because good mechanisms work independently. This is an art that does not destroy, but preserves.