Self-imposed Immaturity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) challenges the foundational principles of the Enlightenment. The key thesis of this essay is whether, with AI, humanity once again places itself in a state of self-imposed immaturity as the very mechanisms unleashed by the Enlightenment begin to turn against their original purpose. We argue that AI poses the risk of leading humans into a new form of “self-imposed immaturity” because it challenges human autonomy and freedom, as well as responsibility and accountability, individuality and subjectivity, and the preservation of human dignity, ultimately undermining the Enlightenment itself. Drawing inspiration from Mario Bunge’s philosophical body of work and his political philosophy, we propose normative ideas to guide the future development of AI in service to society.