Artificial Intelligence has integrated itself into our everyday lives and it has evolved processes and practices in ways we could have never imagined 25 years ago.
This raises the question – what is in store for AI in ten years’ time?
With advancements in AI General Intelligence, it’s influence on the workforce, the ethics and risks involved, and the possibility of superintelligence all orbiting the idea of AI advancements, the next decade promises to bring to light and redefine what’s possible. Here we explore these factors and predict what our future holds for this intelligence.
Artificial General Intelligence – will this become a reality?
So, what is meant by the term ‘Artificial General Intelligence’ (AGI), and how may this term become more normalised in ten years’ time?
AGI refers to machines that possess the ability to understand, learn and apply intelligence across a wide range of tasks. It’s a concept often portrayed in films, shaping much of our popular understanding of AI and overtime has developed into an extreme fictional concept the blurs the lines between human and machine. Though in 2035, experts now predict AGI evolving from a fictional concept to a functioning reality.
The journey we’re on today involves major advancements in machine learning, neural networks, and cognitive computing, propelling us toward the era of AGI.
AI systems are already surpassing human performance in specific tasks, thanks to their ability to analyse vast amounts of data and recognise patterns in ways that humans cannot. However, these systems still fall short in areas like general reasoning, emotional intelligence, and the nuanced decision-making abilities that come naturally to humans.
The path to achieving true AGI is a long one, although we’ve caught early glimpses of its potential, there’s still much ground to cover. While the next decade may not bring the full realisation of AGI, it will likely witness significant advancements in its development.
AI’s influence on the workforce – what the future holds for employment
AI’s influence on employment is undoubtedly the most feared part of AI advancement.
The automation of various tasks makes us question whether this will lead to the creation of new jobs or mass unemployment.
While the fear of the unknown is natural, it’s important to remember that many jobs we now consider common would have seemed completely foreign just 20 years ago.
Consider this: roles like “social media manager” or “app developer” would have been unimaginable in the 1990s. Similarly, factory workers during the Industrial Revolution could never have conceived of a job like “user experience designer.” – Owen Tribe, AI Thought Leader, 2025.
A key aspect of career development will be reskilling and upskilling, with a growing emphasis on continuous learning and adaptability. While we can only begin to imagine the new opportunities AI innovation will create, we can predict that its integration will open the door to exciting new roles where human creativity, problem-solving, and strategy will take centre stage, while AI handles logistical and repetitive tasks.
The evolving workforce will lead this new era of collaboration, and adapting to these changes will be essential to remain relevant in the modern job market.
Ethics and risks involved in AI advancement – future concerns
When granting AI more responsibilities in certain job roles the question is then opened around the ethics involved in AI decision-making processes, especially in Healthcare and Law Enforcement sectors.
AI in Healthcare:
Can an AI system truly understand human experiences and empathise with what a patient may be feeling? The lack of human connection here could not only feel uncomfortable but lead to incorrect treatments, or failure to detect certain health issues. ’When AI aids or makes medical decisions, there’s a need for clarity about how these decisions are derived. Trust is fostered when there’s transparency about the AI systems’ functioning and limitations.’ – Keragon Team, 2024.
AI in Law Enforcement:
The use of AI when making decisions around sentencing has caused many debates around fairness and the potential of bias in the justice system. The concern lies with whether AI can replace or better inform human judgement. ‘The integration of AI into law enforcement represents a significant leap forward in the capabilities of police forces worldwide. However, this technological advancement must be balanced with a steadfast commitment to ethical principles and responsible implementation’ – Police 1, 2024.
As we see AI edge its way into important sectors such as healthcare and law enforcement, we must ensure its decision-making power is carefully considered and ensure these systems align with important societal values.
AI Superintelligence – the machine, the myth, the legend
The idea of AI superintelligence is probably the most familiar concept to many.
It is the extreme ideology of this function and has pioneered the story lines of many fictional films and tv series. The ‘I-Robot concept’ refers to AI surpassing human intelligence across all domains including problem-solving, creativity and social interaction. This theory includes AI intelligence far exceeding the smartest human begins and being able to think as a separate entity.
Though this is hypothetical future is decades away, we can begin to imagine its characteristics. One being Superior Cognitive, which includes superior problem-solving, reasoning, and learning capabilities compared to humans. Another would be cross-domain expertise, with humans usually excelling in one field, superintelligent AI would be an expert in all fields.
With these advanced characteristics comes concerns. ‘Some researchers worry about “instrumental convergence,” the idea that virtually any highly intelligent system with almost any goal would develop certain sub goals, such as getting more resources or preventing itself from being shut down.’ – Owen Tribe, AI Thought Leader, 2025.
What the future holds for AI:
General Intelligence will ensure innovation throughout our workforce and many different industries such as health care and law enforcement we must ensure we align these developments with human values and manage societal impacts to safeguard against the risks involved and to avoid the horrors of AI Superintelligence.
The balance between innovation and responsibility must be carefully calibrated to ensure that profound progress doesn’t result in regression. AI should serve as a tool to elevate human potential, not undermine human values. The decisions made in the coming years, leading up to 2035, will shape the path for successful collaboration, with a promising future on the horizon.
