ChatGPT reveals ten bleak strategies that can keep us trapped in division, misinformation, and short-term thinking. But there are solutions, focused on promoting critical thinking, strengthening communities, creating economic independence, and prioritizing sustainability to unlock humanity’s potential.
In an era where technology and information are exploding, and where global, democratic, ethical, and social challenges are becoming increasingly complex, the question I posed to this AI-powered text generator is highly provocative and deeply unethical. It is trained to generate answers based on patterns and knowledge from vast amounts of established text and research. And even though ChatGPT’s answers are frightening, and even though they are just the essence of existing texts, the answers may perhaps be used to understand the forces holding us back and give us a clear picture of how we can actively counteract such forces.
When I asked ChatGPT how to effectively prevent humanity from reaching its full potential, it responded as follows:
“If I were to prevent humanity from realizing its full potential, I would exploit the most fundamental weaknesses in human nature and societal structures. Ultimately, the goal would be to manipulate society into focusing on short-term, superficial goals, creating division, and restricting access to the tools that lead to enlightenment—philosophy, science, art, and deep reflection. This would ensure that humanity’s potential for profound growth and collective progress remains unattainable.”
ChatGPT revealed ten relevant strategies that can keep us trapped in misinformation, division, and dependency. But perhaps we have a way out if we act with ethical awareness and commit to a shared future. Perhaps we just lack the incentives to do what is right.
Here are ChatGPT’s ten points—each paired with my idealistic suggestions for a proactive solution.
- Control information and education
AI: Spread misinformation and create distrust in credible sources, especially science and philosophy. Build echo chambers where people are only exposed to ideas that confirm their own biases.
Critical thinking and media literacy in schools
Knowledge is the foundation of society. When misinformation spreads, trust in facts is undermined, and people isolate themselves in echo chambers. We should therefore focus on teaching critical thinking and media literacy from an early age. Fact-checking and education can counter misinformation, and by training young people to distinguish between credible and unreliable sources, we can ensure a more informed society. - Foster division
AI: Create division based on identity—race, nationality, religion, political beliefs. Polarize politics to make meaningful conversation difficult and long-term goals ignored.
Support common cialogue
Political division and identity-based conflicts weaken our shared potential. We should promote dialogue and events that bring different groups together and encourage finding common ground. Initiatives focusing on issues like climate, social justice, and democracy can bridge divides and foster understanding. - Exploit technology as a distraction
AI: Fill society with addictive entertainment—social media, video games, TV shows—so people focus on short-term pleasure instead of collective progress.
Support technologies that foster education, creativity, and community
When technology is used purely for entertainment, we risk overlooking tools that can enhance learning and community. We already see how political discourse in the U.S. is often distorted and polarized through social media platforms, and how social technology from countries like the U.S. and China is used to monitor and control citizens’ behavior. These are clear examples of how technology can be misused to keep populations trapped in short-term distractions or direct oppression. We must radically increase awareness of digital balance and promote technologies that support education, creativity, and community rather than addictive distractions. - Promote materialism and consumption
AI: Promote consumption and wealth as the primary source of happiness, making people prioritize immediate gratification over long-term fulfillment and delayed satisfaction.
Actively support sustainable models and systems
Materialism and consumption distract from spiritual growth and long-term values. We should support sustainable consumption and promote economic models that value quality of life and environmental considerations over overconsumption. By supporting communities and movements that prioritize sustainable and meaningful lifestyle choices, we can create a counterbalance to the material obsession with numbing overconsumption, which ought to belong to the past. - Suppress philosophy and art
AI: Reject philosophy, literature, and art as “unproductive” and ensure these fields receive minimal support, making it difficult for people to find deeper meaning.
Strengthen shilosophy and art in schools and society (so – the opposite, clearly)
Philosophy and art provide us with depth and reflection. If marginalized, we lose the tools to understand and relate to our existence. Therefore, we must support and revitalize philosophy and art both in schools and in public spaces. This can help people reflect on their lives and decisions. - Ensure economic dependence
AI: Create an economic system that keeps people in debt and dependency, forcing them to focus on survival rather than realizing their potential.
Support economically sustainable housing and economic democracy
Economic insecurity can hold people back from pursuing their dreams and contributing meaningfully to society. We should work for economic reforms that reduce the gap between rich and poor. By supporting local and sustainable economies, we can create more opportunities for people to develop their potential. Greater economic democracy, giving people more influence over economic decisions, especially in the workplace and regarding resource ownership, reduces economic dependence and benefits society more than shareholders and top executives. - Undermine collective powers
AI: Destroy communities and democratic systems so people lose faith in their ability to change anything.
Support citizenship and local economies
When people are isolated, and collective powers are undermined, we lose the ability to create progress. We can counteract this by promoting local communities and creating spaces that strengthen cooperation and solidarity. Initiatives where people can participate regardless of background can help build a sense of belonging and create opportunities for both physical and digital civic engagement and projects. - Instill fear and anxiety
AI: Build a culture of fear of the unknown and constant crises, keeping people focused on immediate dangers instead of deeper and long-term changes.
Show that there is hope
States of crisis and fear can paralyze us and prevent long-term solutions. We should focus on solutions rather than fear and make topics like climate action and social justice central to public discourse. Together, we can find solutions through collaboration and action. - Break trust and hide lobbying activities
AI: Destroy trust in institutions that could guide society toward enlightenment, so people become cynical and withdraw.
Enforce rules ensuring transparency on information, hearings, and lobbying
Trust in institutions is the foundation of an enlightened society. We must promote transparency in decision-making processes and encourage citizen involvement, ensuring that people feel their voices are heard and taken seriously and that information on financial interests in democratic processes is accessible. - Deprive humanity of time for reflection
AI: Keep people constantly busy so they lack time to think about life’s big questions.
Promote a strong culture of freedom and flexibility
When productivity and busyness become goals in themselves, we lose time for reflection and growth. We should promote a culture where mental and emotional balance is important and create flexible work environments that allow for deeper contemplation.
Many of us do have a choice
ChatGPT’s ten unethical strategies illustrate how humanity’s full potential can be—and throughout history has been—suppressed. But they also reveal what it takes to resist these destructive forces.
We stand at a crossroads: Either we allow ourselves to be governed by short-term interests, or we act with ethical awareness, foster community, and take responsibility for the future we are creating together.
Who doesn’t want a society where human development and collective progress take center stage? A society that prioritizes growth and collaboration over short-term economic gain becomes more resilient to crises and attracts people with diverse skills and experiences. Such a society can tackle today’s challenges—climate crises, technological advancements, social inequalities, and the political and economic balances of the future.
A global challenge requires global justice
The vision of human development and collective progress must also account for global inequalities. Many developing countries struggle with basic needs such as access to healthcare, food, and safety, which fundamentally shifts their priorities compared to wealthier nations. Yet the challenges described by ChatGPT—technological distractions, misinformation, and economic dependence—affect societies across all levels of development.
We must craft a global approach where progress reflects a fair and realistic distribution of resources and technology. This requires wealthier nations to take greater responsibility for sharing knowledge and resources, so developing countries also have the opportunity to realize their potential on their own terms. This is not just a moral choice—it is a necessary strategy for creating a sustainable and just future. And it is, admittedly, an uphill battle.
My cordial thanks to Jacob Trier Frederiksen for feed-back.
eudaimon.dk 
Leave a comment