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Science & Technology · 5 Intermediate · September 20, 2026

Should We Worry About AI and Our Future?

Should We Worry About AI and Our Future?
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Vocabulary

artificial intelligence /ˌɑr.təˈfɪʃ.əl ɪn.ˈtel.ə.dʒəns/ noun
computer systems that can learn and make decisions like humans do
Artificial intelligence helps doctors find diseases in X-rays.
existential /ˌɛɡ.zɪˈsten.ʃəl/ adjective
related to the existence or survival of something or someone
An existential threat to our company would be a complete loss of customers.
control /kənˈtroʊl/ verb
to manage or direct something so it does what you want
We need to control how much time children spend on their phones.
realistic /riˈæl.ɪ.stɪk/ adjective
reasonable and based on what is actually possible in the real world
It is not realistic to expect everyone to become millionaires.
responsible /rɪˈspɑn.sə.bəl/ adjective
acting in a careful and thoughtful way; doing what is right and safe
A responsible driver always wears a seatbelt.
reduce /rɪˈdus/ verb
to make something smaller or less; to decrease
Exercising regularly can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Article

Artificial intelligence is becoming more powerful every day. Some people worry that AI could become dangerous in the future. These worries are called existential fears. Let's look at what these concerns are and whether we should take them seriously.

What Are People Worried About?

Some scientists think that very advanced AI could be difficult to control. They imagine a future where AI systems are smarter than humans. If this happens, these systems might not follow human instructions. They could make decisions that hurt people instead of helping them. This is the main worry that experts discuss.

How Real Is This Danger?

Not all scientists agree about how serious this problem is. Some researchers believe it is a real threat that we must plan for now. Other experts think these fears are not realistic. They say we are still far away from creating AI that smart. Today's AI is very good at specific tasks, but it is not intelligent like humans are.

What Can We Do?

Many people are working on AI safety. They create rules and tests to make sure AI systems stay safe. Companies are trying to build AI in responsible ways. Governments are also starting to make laws about AI. These actions help reduce the risks.

The Bottom Line

It is smart to think about how AI could affect us in the future. However, we do not need to be extremely afraid right now. The best approach is to develop AI carefully while we watch for problems. This way, we can enjoy the benefits of AI and stay safe at the same time.

Discussion Questions

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