Is intelligence self-destructive?

Intelligence indeed seems to have a self-destructive tendency, as discussed in several episodes of the Lex Fridman Podcast.

Yuval Noah Harari emphasized that intelligence is often overvalued and can lead to self-destruction. This is because intelligence enables the creation of complex solutions and systems that can backfire and cause harm, as seen with advancements that pose existential threats. Harari suggests that if other intelligent life forms existed, their self-destructive tendencies might have led to their demise 1.

Joscha Bach highlighted concerns about our current civilization's sustainability, suggesting that global warming and resource depletion could significantly reduce the human population. He points out that the exponential growth of technology might outpace our ability to manage it, potentially leading to self-destruction through means such as genetic manipulation or artificial intelligence 2.

David Kipping and Lex Fridman explored the Fermi Paradox, discussing the likelihood that advanced civilizations might destroy themselves before achieving interstellar travel. This is due to the immense power of technologies like AI, genetic engineering, and nuclear weapons, which could make self-destruction an inevitable outcome of technological advancement 3 4.

These discussions collectively suggest that intelligence, while immensely powerful, can indeed be self-destructive if not carefully managed.