Ai vs AI: Will World War III be human vs. technology?

Ai Weiwei: This question lacks a solid foundation. Human wars arise from inevitable demands in the development of human society. While wars may appear to contravene the principles of life, they represent a stage of political demands. Technology, being a tool manipulated by human beings, is merely a phenomenon. The World War III will not be a conflict between humans and technology, in my opinion.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2024: The nature of potential conflicts in the future is uncertain. While there are concerns about the role of technology, predicting specific scenarios is challenging.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2025: The idea of a future conflict, such as World War III, being a battle between humans and technology is a thought-provoking scenario. While it’s difficult to predict exactly how future conflicts will unfold, the rise of advanced technologies—particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and cyberwarfare—could certainly play a significant role in shaping global power dynamics.

Here are some ways in which technology might intersect with the concept of a global conflict:

1. Cyberwarfare and Information Warfare:
   In a modern world where information flows rapidly across borders, future wars might not only be fought on physical battlefields but in cyber realms as well. Cyberattacks could target critical infrastructure like power grids, communication networks, and financial systems, causing widespread disruption without the need for traditional military force.
   Additionally, the manipulation of information (such as through disinformation campaigns, social media influence, or state-sponsored hacking) could lead to social, political, and economic instability. In this way, technology could play a key role in shaping the very narrative of a global conflict.
2. Autonomous Weapon Systems:
   AI-powered drones and autonomous robots are already being used in military applications. In the future, it’s possible that fully autonomous systems might carry out strikes without human intervention, raising ethical questions about accountability and control.
   These systems could also lead to an arms race, with countries vying for dominance in the development of lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs). The question of who controls these technologies—and how they are used—would become critical in a future conflict.
3. AI and Military Strategy:
   AI has the potential to dramatically change military strategy. It could assist in real-time decision-making, analyze vast amounts of data, and predict enemy movements. Some envision a future where AI-driven strategies and simulations replace human military leadership, potentially leading to conflicts where machines are largely in control of tactics and decisions.
   The risk is that such a situation could make warfare more unpredictable, and potentially escalate conflicts more quickly than humans might be able to control.
4. Technology’s Impact on Society:
   If technological advances lead to massive displacement of jobs through automation, or a widening gap between the wealthy and the marginalized, tensions within societies could increase. A significant portion of global conflict could be driven by inequality or resistance to technological dominance—leading to divisions between those who benefit from technological advancements and those who are left behind.
5. Human vs. Technology in Terms of Control:
   Another aspect of the “human vs. technology” theme might not be as literal as an all-out war with machines. Instead, it could be a struggle for control between human governance and the growing autonomy of machines. For instance, what happens if AI systems grow so advanced that they surpass human intelligence, or become so deeply integrated into society that they wield immense power over daily life? Would humanity remain in control, or would technology dictate our future?
6. Existential Threats:
   Advanced AI and biotechnology could present existential risks if they fall into the wrong hands or are misused. Whether through the development of autonomous AI systems that act unpredictably, or the potential misuse of biological technologies (e.g., bioweapons or genetic engineering), the risk of human self-destruction could be amplified by technology itself.
   In this sense, the “war” may not necessarily be a literal confrontation between humans and machines, but a race to balance innovation with caution to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
7. Technological Dependence and Vulnerability:
   As societies become increasingly dependent on technology, they could become more vulnerable to technological disruptions. A conflict could escalate if one side were able to exploit weaknesses in another’s technological infrastructure—leading to massive disruptions in daily life, economy, and communication.
   Global supply chains and critical infrastructures (such as healthcare, transportation, and energy) are so reliant on technology that disabling them could lead to societal collapse, making it a form of warfare in which technology plays a central role.
   Is it really “human vs. technology”?
   Rather than seeing it strictly as humans versus technology, it might be more accurate to think of it as humans navigating their relationship with technology. Technology, in many ways, reflects human intentions, choices, and control. The key challenge may not be whether we are fighting against technology itself, but how we use, regulate, and control it to avoid potential threats while maximizing its benefits for humanity.

Ultimately, the idea of World War III as a “human vs. technology” scenario raises important questions about ethics, governance, and the balance of power in a highly technological world. The conflict could be less about humans fighting against technology and more about how we can coexist with and manage the technologies we create.

What do you think—do you envision a future where this becomes a central theme of global conflict, or do you see it taking another form entirely?

To coincide with the exhibition, 81 Questions – a series of 81 hand-signed and embossed screen prints featuring the 81 questions posed by Ai Weiwei – are available exclusively on CIRCA.ART for £500+VAT.

“Each Lego brick pixel represents a person”, says Ai Weiwei, who incorporates the plastic construction toy – a readymade material incorporated into many of his most recent works – into his print design for the first time. The black egalitarian pixel font and embossed baseplate combine technology with artisanal craft to create this thought-provoking and playful reflection on today’s world. Each print in the series of 81 Questions is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in editions of 81.