The ethics of creating artificial superintelligence: a global risk perspective

Abstract As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its exponential growth and nears the threshold of artificial general intelligence (AGI), it is timely and urgent to initiate reflections on artificial superintelligence (ASI), which may emerge rapidly after AGI. While ASI remains hypothetical, its potential emergence could be abrupt and profoundly transformative, necessitating proactive ethical and strategic inquiry. This paper proposes a multidimensional reflection on ASI, not only in its technical form but also in relation to humanity and the planetary context. It seeks to answer the question: “Should Homo sapiens develop an artificial superintelligence on their planet?” The paper introduces key definitions, outlines major existential risks to humanity and the biosphere, and considers whether ASI could mitigate these threats. It ultimately proposes a conceptual equation to assess the potential net impact of ASI, and introduces an original Venn diagram that classifies problem domains across AI, AGI, and ASI. Together, these tools aim to advance theoretical understanding and guide future inquiry into the core research question.