What if A.I. Is Just a ‘Normal Technology’?

Artificial intelligence functions as a "normal" technology rather than an existential, uncontrollable superintelligence. Arvind Narayanan, a computer science professor at Princeton, argues that AI risks—such as those observed in recent cyber incidents—are fundamentally engineering and cybersecurity challenges rather than emergent, alien-like phenomena. By treating AI as a tool subject to human agency, developers can implement robust control mechanisms like sandboxes, real-time monitoring, and rigorous operational standards. While AI possesses unique capabilities, its real-world impact remains constrained by physical infrastructure, institutional bottlenecks, and the Jevons paradox, where increased efficiency often leads to shifting demands rather than the wholesale replacement of human roles. Rather than racing toward unproven superintelligence, the focus should shift toward hardening systems, improving organizational adequacy, and applying established defensive techniques to manage the risks inherent in increasingly complex digital environments.