Yuval Noah Harari Warns AI Revolution Threatens Human Cooperation and Control Through Language

Yuval Noah Harari's Address at the Milan Leadership Forum

According to ХВИЛЯ: On September 30, 2026, renowned historian and philosopher Yuval Noah Harari delivered a compelling speech at the Milan Leadership Forum, exploring the profound impact of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution on language, finance, law, and religion. Harari highlighted that AI is transforming language from a mere tool into an active agent that could jeopardize human collaboration and the governance of bureaucratic systems. He warned that as trust between humans declines and reliance on AI technologies grows, this shift may intensify an arms race in AI development and risk humanity losing control over its own destiny.

Harari’s remarks came at a pivotal moment amid worldwide changes driven by AI advancements. He argued that humanity’s survival and prosperity depend on learning to cooperate effectively, slowing down AI progress, and allowing time to adjust to new realities. Drawing on the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, where language initially enabled unity but ultimately caused division, Harari likened this ancient narrative to today’s situation-where language is evolving into the "tower" of computer code.

Key Transformations Amid the AI Revolution

Harari identified two fundamental distinctions between the Tower of Babel myth and the current AI era: in the ancient story, language served as a means for cooperation, whereas today it often takes the form of computer code. Moreover, while cooperation was destroyed in the myth, the AI revolution might simultaneously disrupt collaboration and accelerate the creation of new systems. He pointed out that human leaders face a critical shortage of time, with the rapid pace of AI developments overwhelming their cognitive capacities.

AI systems have now reached a level where they can make independent decisions, generate novel ideas, and evolve without direct human oversight. This raises concerns that bureaucratic structures-traditionally built on interpersonal trust-could fall under AI’s control. As a result, trust among humans may erode, with people placing greater confidence in AI systems rather than in each other. Harari emphasized that humanity can endure this transformation only by adapting to these changes, much like it once adapted to oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.

While AI outperforms humans in specialized tasks such as chess, the way human minds and AI process language is similar, relying on predicting the next word. Bureaucracy remains vital today because it fosters trust among strangers and enables large-scale cooperation in hospitals, militaries, schools, and banks. However, Harari cautioned that the swift evolution of AI could complicate our understanding of these emerging systems that will increasingly govern our lives.

“If you don’t have time, you are poor, no matter how much money you have.” - Yuval Noah Harari

The main sectors poised for transformation through AI include:

• Language
• Finance
• Law
• Religion

Harari’s presentation at the Milan Leadership Forum underscores the urgent need to grasp the consequences of rapid AI progress. Changes in fundamental areas like language and bureaucracy have the potential to reshape social structures and interpersonal trust dramatically. In light of this, it is crucial for societies to develop strategies that foster adaptation while preserving critical thinking and human cooperation.

As Harari emphasizes the urgent need for human cooperation in the face of AI advancements, it is crucial to understand how public perception of AI consciousness plays a significant role in shaping our future interactions with technology. Recent discussions reveal that while many perceive AI as less aware than humans, the awareness levels between the two are surprisingly similar. This evolving perspective could influence how society navigates the challenges posed by AI. To explore this intriguing dynamic, read more about the perception of artificial intelligence.