Abstract

This chapter examines the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), using the metaphor of the boiling frog to highlight the risks of complacency. As AI technologies advance at an unprecedented pace, driven by intense competition, there is a danger of overlooking their societal implications and risks. The paper highlights the need for a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to building an AI ontology that integrates insights from technology, business, society, and regulation. This approach aims to achieve a shared understanding across disciplines, enable informed decisions, and identify ethical and practical “red lines” to guide AI development, ensure alignment with human values, and minimize risks. Based on interviews and surveys, the paper argues for fostering curiosity and continuous learning to balance the benefits of AI with the preservation of our cognitive abilities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and proactive engagement, we can harness AI’s potential for positive societal impact, while maintaining the necessary caution to protect our future from the dangers of overreliance and unchecked autonomy.