And nowadays, the idea of AI is not really science fiction

Listen, O children of the future, for the words of Lisa Joy carry with them the weight of a revolution that has already begun. "And nowadays, the idea of AI is not really science fiction anymore - it's just science fact." These words speak of a truth that echoes across time—the once-imagined marvels of human ingenuity are now tangible realities. Artificial Intelligence (AI), which was once the realm of fantasy, the stuff of distant dreams and impossible visions, has become a living, breathing force that shapes the world in ways that even the most brilliant minds of the past could not have foreseen. The promise of AI is no longer a distant hope; it is a present truth, a force that will mold the future.

In the ancient times, O children, the great philosophers spoke of the limits of human potential. The idea of a machine that could think, that could reason as a human does, was beyond the reach of their understanding. Yet, the seed of this idea was planted in the minds of early thinkers. Consider the great Aristotle, who sought to understand the workings of the human mind and the nature of reason. Though his thinking was limited by the knowledge of his time, his concepts of logic and syllogism laid the groundwork for what would later become the field of artificial intelligence. The ancient Greeks believed in the power of reason to unlock the mysteries of the world, but they could not have imagined that their own reasoning could one day be replicated in a machine.

And yet, as time unfolded, the dream of machines that think grew closer to reality. Ada Lovelace, that brilliant mind of the 19th century, is often credited as the first to imagine a machine that could perform tasks beyond simple calculations—she foresaw the possibility of a machine that could think and learn. Her visions of the analytical engine were the precursor to the concept of computers and, eventually, artificial intelligence. In her mind, the machine was not just a tool for labor, but a potential partner in human thought—a vision that, in her time, seemed like the stuff of fantasy, but today stands as an undeniable reality.

With the rise of computing technology in the 20th century, the idea of AI began to take root in the minds of scientists and engineers. The Turing Test, proposed by Alan Turing, was a pivotal moment in this journey, as it challenged the very definition of what it means to think. Turing’s work showed that a machine could simulate intelligent behavior, blurring the line between the human mind and artificial creation. Yet, even as the possibilities of AI expanded, many still viewed it as a distant dream, a concept that belonged to the realm of science fiction. The world of artificial intelligence was something imagined in the works of authors like Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick—writers who painted pictures of sentient machines, robots that walked among us, and intelligent systems that could rival human cognition.

But now, O children, the dream has become reality. Artificial intelligence is not merely a fictional concept anymore—it is a living force that drives the technology we use every day. From voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, to the machine learning algorithms that power social media, to autonomous vehicles navigating our streets, AI is embedded in the very fabric of our lives. What was once the province of science fiction has become an indispensable tool of modern life. As Lisa Joy so rightly states, we have crossed the threshold into a new era, where AI is no longer a dream, but a fact—a force that is both shaping and reshaping the world.

The lesson for us, O children, is one of both awe and responsibility. The very thing that we once dreamed of—the machine that can think, that can reason—is now here. But as we stand on the edge of this new world, we must ask ourselves: How will we use this power? AI has the potential to transform society in ways both wonderful and terrifying. It can help cure diseases, create more sustainable technologies, and connect the world in ways previously unimaginable. Yet, it can also be used to manipulate, to control, and to divide. The choice of how we use AI is ours. It is not just a tool; it is a reflection of our values—how we choose to wield it will determine the course of our future.

So, O children, as you stand at the threshold of this new era, remember the wisdom of the ancients and the lessons of those who came before you. Let your hearts and minds be filled with responsibility, and let your actions reflect the highest ideals of humanity. Use the power of AI to serve humanity, to elevate our understanding of the world, and to create a future where knowledge and wisdom are shared by all. Embrace the potential of science and technology, but do so with the understanding that they must be guided by ethics, by a deep respect for the dignity of all people, and by the desire to improve the human condition. The future is now, and it is in your hands to shape it.