In this in-depth podcast, we explore the rise of Artificial Intelligence through both a historical and philosophical lens. Beginning with the early dreams of AI in the mid-20th century—from Alan Turing’s question “Can machines think?” to the early rule-based systems—we trace how AI evolved from a controlled tool into increasingly autonomous systems capable of learning, predicting, and influencing human behavior.

We then turn to the darker side of AI’s history: moments where systems behaved unpredictably, reflected human biases, or “went rogue” due to misalignment between human intent and machine objectives. From flawed recommendation algorithms to chatbots trained on toxic data, these cases raise serious ethical and creative concerns. We discuss how modern AI companies like OpenAI and Google Gemini operate under strict legal and ethical constraints, often facing lawsuits, public scrutiny, and content limitations—what some call “blockades”—to prevent harm and misuse.

A central focus of the conversation is creativity. Is AI enhancing human imagination, or slowly replacing original thought? As educators in language and literature, we critically examine how overreliance on AI is affecting students’ ability to think independently, write creatively, and engage deeply with ideas. We argue that while AI can be a powerful assistant, blind dependence risks intellectual laziness and the erosion of authentic human expression.

The discussion concludes on a hopeful yet cautious note. AI is not our enemy—but neither is it a savior. Humans are not going anywhere, and AI is not going anywhere either. The future lies in learning how to navigate the age of AI wisely: using it as a tool, not a crutch; as a collaborator, not a replacement. If used responsibly, AI and human creativity can coexist—and even evolve together.

You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NCoDfb8O4i4?si=0aeyEQ2k0gQubhYk

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