People talk about what the goals of a powerful AI might be, for we all worry, might AI dominate or replace us? In such discussions, many reassure us that there’s no telling what an AI’s goals might be. Perhaps it will have other interests than conquest.

You rarely hear mentioned what should be the starting consideration. Since Darwin, we have known that the reason life expands to fill niches across the planet is nothing more than natural selection: life forms that don’t expand are supplanted by those that do. Bacteria do it, plants do it, yet these creatures have no goals. If you think the same principle doesn’t apply to AI, you need to give an argument.

[26 November 2025]