Historian Yuval Noah Harari has warned that artificial intelligence could pose serious challenges to human society by making independent decisions, weakening public trust and making it increasingly difficult to distinguish facts from fabricated information. In a recent interview with Veda 24, Harari called for stronger government regulation and human oversight as AI systems become more capable. He argued that the technology differs from traditional tools because it can operate as an agent, making decisions and generating ideas with limited direct human involvement. His remarks highlighted concerns about how increasingly autonomous systems could affect institutions, public debate and people's ability to understand the world around them.

Harari explained that earlier technologies largely depended on people to decide how they would be used, whereas AI systems can increasingly perform tasks and make decisions independently. He described AI as a different form of intelligence that may develop in ways humans do not fully understand or anticipate. According to him, these systems could become involved in areas such as banking, government administration and industrial operations, potentially influencing decisions that affect people's everyday lives. As AI becomes integrated into essential institutions, he warned, individuals may find it harder to understand how decisions are made or identify who should be held accountable when something goes wrong. His concerns centre on the need to maintain meaningful human supervision over systems that exercise significant influence.

A major part of Harari's warning focused on the erosion of trust and the growing difficulty of distinguishing genuine information from artificial content. He argued that trust forms a foundation of civilisation but is increasingly under pressure as misleading information spreads. The expansion of AI-generated images, videos, text and other material could make it harder for people to establish what actually happened in a particular situation. If citizens cannot agree on basic facts, public discussions and collective decision-making may become more difficult. Harari suggested that this uncertainty could affect not only individual judgement but also the institutions that depend on reliable information and a shared understanding of events.

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Harari also criticised the influence of social media algorithms on human behaviour, arguing that platforms often exploit people's instinct to notice threats and alarming developments. He compared the constant presentation of disturbing content to being shown one snake after another, suggesting that such exposure can encourage fear, anger and division. In his view, platforms designed to maximise attention can prioritise provocative material over information that helps users understand complex issues. He called for responsible journalism that prioritises accuracy and truth rather than sensational stories intended to attract clicks and likes. Harari also proposed warning labels for online content, drawing a comparison with nutritional information on food packaging. He described social media as the diet of the mind, emphasising the importance of considering the quality of information people consume.

Calling for political action, Harari urged governments to regulate dangerous applications of AI and ensure that companies remain accountable for the systems they develop and deploy. He argued that political leaders should take sufficient time to understand the consequences of technological change instead of allowing innovation to advance without adequate safeguards. His position was not that all AI development should stop, but that the pace and direction of progress should be accompanied by stronger oversight. Governments, technology companies and other institutions, he suggested, have a role in ensuring that AI systems are used responsibly and that human interests remain central to decisions affecting society.

Despite his concerns, Harari acknowledged that technological change is a recurring feature of history and that people must learn to adapt. The challenge, he suggested, is to ensure that society has enough time and understanding to respond wisely as AI capabilities expand. His remarks emphasised the need to balance the potential benefits of artificial intelligence with safeguards that protect public trust, preserve accountability and support informed decision-making. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in everyday life, Harari's central concern is whether people will retain the ability to assess information independently and understand the systems shaping their decisions. He called for a thoughtful response that embraces useful innovation without sacrificing human judgement and responsibility.

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