Technology has posed threats before. AI can be managed, too, historian says.

A historian draws on past technological revolutions to argue that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence—and its associated risks—need not be paralyzing. By comparing AI’s current trajectory to earlier transformative innovations, the analysis suggests that society has repeatedly adapted to disruptive change, offering a framework for understanding how present challenges might be navigated. The perspective emphasizes that while AI poses significant uncertainties, historical patterns could provide lessons in managing its evolution without succumbing to fear. For those seeking a balanced view on AI’s future, this reflection on technological progress may offer reassuring insights.

Margaret O’Mara has studied similar points in American history and says that the pace of artificial intelligence growth and the technology’s risks do not have to be overwhelming.