Professor Harari at the World Forum

Choices for Humanity in the Age of AI

Philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari opened The World Forum on the Future of Democracy, AI/Tech and Humankind in Berlin on 16 - 17 February 2026 with a warning about the pace at which AI is being deployed across society.

Philosopher Harari’s speech served as a warning for our society and lawmakers: "What makes AI different from all previous technologies is that it touches the central nervous system of society. Intelligent machines are now learning how to manage and reshape the operating systems of banks, militaries, entire countries, and even religions. The danger we are facing with AI isn't just a bad person deciding to press a bad button. Instead, the danger is an invisible process happening all around us. A line of code inserted into a clearing system, a path burned into tactical logic, a scoring rubric embedded at the gateway of hiring or lending."

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Key Insights on AI, Humanity and the Future by Harari

  • AI’s are not tools. AIs are agents, independent agents to some extent.

  • AI is evolving an alien type of intelligence: not human, not even organic.

  • It is best to think about the term AI not as an acronym for artificial intelligence, but instead as an acronym for alien intelligence.

  • Digital evolution is millions of times faster than organic evolution.

  • We have just basically encountered an alien intelligence not in outer space but here on Earth, through AI.

​​How Technology Can Help Humans Flourish

“The new technologies can create either heaven or hell, but we aren't sure which is which and this is a very dangerous situation.”

In his powerful address to The World Forum, Professor Yuval Noah Harari examines the critical intersection of technology and politics, urging us to harness technological advancements to strengthen democracy and human agency. He challenges us to redefine our roles from passive observers to active creators in shaping a politically empowered future. Watch his compelling speech to explore how innovative technologies can be pivotal in advancing freedom and enhancing governance globally.