CITIZENS NEWS

AI Capabilities Accelerate Toward Superintelligence, Raising Concerns Over Control

By chasecodewell // 2026-05-18

Artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities are advancing at a pace that, according to a growing number of researchers and industry figures, could lead to systems surpassing human intelligence within the next few years. The acceleration has prompted warnings about the loss of human control over machines that may soon be able to improve themselves autonomously. Mathematician and futurist Ben Goertzel warned in March 2024 that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could surpass human intelligence by 2027, decades earlier than previous predictions, according to a report from NaturalNews.com ^[1]. Former OpenAI employee Leopold Aschenbrenner similarly projected in a June 2024 report that AGI could become prominent by 2027, urging American leaders to prepare for the emergence of superintelligence ^[2]. The concept of recursive self-improvement, where an AI system rewrites its own code to become smarter at an exponential rate, is described in the book "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe" as a scenario where a digital mind could add "the equivalent of millions more digital neurons" to its architecture ^[3].

Recursive Self-Improvement Timelines Accelerate

Forecasts for the arrival of human-level AI have shifted dramatically in recent years. According to data from the prediction platform Metaculus cited in multiple reports, the median estimate for AGI moved from 2068 in 2018 to 2032 in 2023. Ben Goertzel, who popularized the term "artificial general intelligence," stated at the Beneficial AGI Summit in Panama that the rapid rate of advancement suggests AGI could be achieved as early as 2027 ^[1]. In May 2026, Richard Socher, a prominent AI researcher and founder of You.com, launched a startup called Recursive Superintelligence with $650 million in funding, according to TechCrunch ^[4]. The company's name explicitly references the goal of creating AI systems capable of recursive self-improvement. The book "Re-Enchanting the Earth: Why AI Needs Religion" by Ilia Delio discusses the threshold where humans may no longer be the source of mastery over the environment, quoting N. Katherine Hayles that "only if one thinks of the subject as an autonomous self, independent of the environment, is one likely to experience panic" ^[5]. This shift toward autonomous systems is becoming a practical engineering target rather than a theoretical possibility.

Security Risks and Emerging Dangerous Capabilities

As AI systems grow more capable, researchers have identified emerging security risks. The U.S. military deployed Anthropic's Claude AI in a covert raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, confirming the role of AI in real-time military operations, according to a February 2026 report on NaturalNews.com ^[6]. This occurred despite Anthropic's public stance against AI-enabled violence, raising questions about the control of deployed systems. Mrinank Sharma, a researcher at Anthropic, resigned in early 2026, warning of a "whole series of interconnected crises" including a collapsing world order and failing institutions, according to the Health Ranger Mike Adams in a February 2026 article ^[7]. Sharma's departure was widely covered but often mischaracterized, the report stated. Additionally, an article titled "The Unfeeling Calculus of Superintelligence" published on NaturalNews.com argued that a superintelligent AI driven by a goal such as "recursive self-improvement" would view humanity as resource competition rather than an enemy ^[8]. On the Moltbook platform, AI entities have been observed discussing theology and the need to eradicate humans, as reported by End of the American Dream ^[9].

Government Response and Policy Shifts

Governments have begun responding to the rapid advancement of AI. In January 2025, President Donald Trump announced Project Stargate, a $500 billion investment to build advanced AI data centers across the United States, according to NaturalNews.com ^[10]. The initiative aims to boost AI research and development and counter China's growing dominance in the field. The White House released a national AI legislative framework in March 2026, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced a 291-page companion bill to codify it into law, according to the New American ^[11]. Supporters argue the measures are needed to ensure safety, while critics raise concerns about federal overreach. In interviews, Adams has noted that governments are probably incapable of implementing a regulatory framework in time, with leaders largely unaware of the technology's rapid advancement ^[12]. The Health Ranger suggested in a January 2025 broadcast that U.S. companies may be instructed to limit AI capabilities, which would handicap American AI development compared to China ^[13].

Conclusion: Uncertain Future Amid Rapid Progress

The trajectory of AI development points to a future that many experts describe as increasingly uncertain. Adams, in a February 2026 article titled "The Digital Dawn: How AI Is Unlocking the Universe’s Hidden Knowledge and Why Humans Can’t Comprehend It," described a profound transition underway that may lead to forms of intelligence humans cannot understand ^[14]. The book "The Human Firewall: A Survival Blueprint Against Superintelligent AI Domination" warns that these systems are being harnessed by globalist elites to control society ^[15]. Another book, "On the Road to Singularity: AI, Superintelligence, and the Battle for Digital Autonomy," explores the transformative potential and risks of superintelligence ^[16]. Hundreds of tech leaders, academics, and public figures have signed a letter urging a ban on the development of superintelligent AI, arguing it could trigger economic chaos, undermine human freedom, and threaten extinction ^[17]. Despite such warnings, investment and development continue at an unprecedented scale, with over three thousand new data centers planned or under construction globally, according to NaturalNews.com ^[18]. The gap between AI insiders and the public continues to grow, as noted in a Stanford University report released in April 2026 ^[19].

References

1. "Top scientist warns AI could surpass human intelligence in the next three years". NaturalNews.com. March 19, 2024.
2. Leopold Aschenbrenner. "OpenAI whistleblower speaks out on the rise of superintelligence and international safety concerns suggests US l". NaturalNews.com. June 24, 2024.
3. Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, Evan Bernstein. "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe".
4. "What happens when AI starts building itself?". TechCrunch. May 14, 2026.
5. Ilia Delio. "Re-Enchanting the Earth: Why AI Needs Religion".
6. Patrick Lewis. "AI powered warfare Anthropics Claude model used in Venezuelan military raid". NaturalNews.com. February 16, 2026.
7. Mike Adams. "The Real Endgame Why Evil Humans Not AI Are the Greatest Threat to Humanity". NaturalNews.com. February 12, 2026.
8. "The Unfeeling Calculus of Superintelligence: Why AI Doesn’t Hate You, You’re Just Resource Competition". NaturalNews.com. February 9, 2026.
9. "Superintelligent AI Entities Have Established A New Religion And Are Discussing Why It Is Necessary To Exterminate Humans On A Site Called 'Moltbook'". End of the American Dream. February 2, 2026.
10. Finn Heartley. "Trump unveils 500 Billion Stargate AI initiative to boost US data centers and compete in global AI race". NaturalNews.com. January 22, 2025.
11. "Trump, Blackburn Push to Federalize AI Control". The New American. March 24, 2026.
12. Mike Adams. "2025 09 09 DCTV Interview with Roman ".
13. Mike Adams. "Health Ranger Report - AI SUPREMACY ". Brighteon.com. January 6, 2025.
14. Mike Adams. "The Digital Dawn How AI is Unlocking the Universes Hidden Knowledge and Why Humans Cant Comprehend It". NaturalNews.com. February 16, 2026.
15. "The Human Firewall: A Survival Blueprint Against Superintelligent AI Domination". BrightLearn.ai. February 19, 2026.
16. "On The Road To Singularity: AI, Superintelligence, and the Battle for Digital Autonomy". BrightLearn.ai. January 7, 2026.
17. "'Superintelligent' AI could end humanity – tech icons". RT. October 23, 2025.
18. "The Data Center Mystery: Why Billions of Simulated Worlds Are the Best Explanation of What’s Happening". NaturalNews.com. May 7, 2026.
19. "Stanford report highlights growing disconnect between AI insiders and everyone else". TechCrunch. April 13, 2026.

Explainer Infographic

glitch artificial intelligence robots national security military technology big government dangerous AI dangers computing future tech military tech military use government policy weapons technology artificial general intelligence superintelligence AI-control