This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Artificial intelligence is taking steady steps toward becoming a permanent part of our daily lives. Each new day, we share significant moments it touches and wonder, “How can we integrate it even further into our lives?”
We often speak of the positive aspects of artificial intelligence. Today, everyone is seeking answers to the question, “How can I best use artificial intelligence?” Meanwhile, major nations are working around the clock to claim, “Our AI is the best.” On one side are the Americans with OpenAI; on the other, the Chinese with DeepSeek. Yet, how much importance this race places on ethical values remains a subject of debate.
In this article, let us evaluate not only what artificial intelligence has gained for us but also what it has cost us and its potential negative consequences.
First, like everything else, artificial intelligence requires substantial energy to “feed” itself. Vast data centers are used to store its information. These centers generate enormous amounts of heat due to operational conditions and consume significant quantities of water for cooling. Although current figures are not yet alarming, it is widely discussed that this issue will attract greater attention in the future. This aspect has also drawn the interest of climate activists.
But how much do AI companies care about this situation? It appears that most companies are focused on how to outpace their rivals and which version will capture global attention. In such an environment, how much confidence can we have that ethical values are being upheld? How secure are our thoughts, data, and voices? Today we may trust one another, but we cannot say the same for tomorrow.
Another, and perhaps the most critical, dimension of the issue is manipulation.
We often hear the saying: “Tell me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.” Today, friendships—directly or indirectly—influence the choices we make in life. From the greeting we offer when entering a space to the environment we choose to spend time in, these relationships play a decisive role. Artificial intelligence has now become a form of this kind of “friendship” in certain aspects of our daily lives.
Artificial intelligence risks steering people toward a uniform format by reflecting back the ideas and behaviors imposed upon it. Malicious corporations, governments, or billion-dollar brands could exploit this software to promote their products or ideologies. At this point, we must be extremely cautious, because manipulation can occur not directly but subtly and unconsciously. As a result, there is a risk that we will be transformed into the standardized human profile desired by AI investors.
Perhaps this is not happening yet, but that does not mean it will not happen in the future. As with every issue, we must develop our own original and national tools. Otherwise, we will be dragged toward the type of human profile favored by AI investors.