In 1863, one man warned us about AI - how a 19th-century letter foresaw AI fears
Samuel Butler's 1863 letter predicted AI fears and machine dominance.

In the mid-19th century, Samuel Butler, using the pseudonym Cellarius, warned of machines potentially surpassing human control in his 1863 letter 'Darwin among the Machines'. He highlighted the potential for machines to develop consciousness, paralleling Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and advocated for a halt to technological advancement to prevent machines from dominating humanity.
Butler speculated on the evolution of machines towards sophistication and their potential to render humans subservient, similar to domesticated animals. His writings foreshadowed themes of machine dominance seen in science fiction works by authors like Isaac Asimov and within cultural narratives such as the Matrix films.
Despite the primitive state of technology in his time, Butler's predictions echo in contemporary debates on the risks of advanced AI, including calls from tech executives and AI researchers to pause technological progress. His warnings about machine control resonate as the world becomes increasingly reliant on AI-driven algorithms regulating daily life.