SANTIAGO, CHILE – April 2025. “Where are we going?” That was both the central question and the title of the compelling keynote delivered by Zack Kass, former Director of OpenAI, during the XVIII International Congress of Expomin 2025 at Espacio Riesco. A prominent figure behind the development of ChatGPT, Kass took the stage to share a thought-provoking vision of artificial intelligence (AI) and its evolving impact on society.
AI as a Present Reality, Not a Future Concept
“The artificial intelligence revolution is already here,” Kass declared, noting that AI has rapidly transitioned from laboratory theory to an integral part of everyday life. From virtual assistants to generative models that create text, images, and even code, AI is no longer a futuristic ideal—it’s a current and growing force shaping industries and lifestyles worldwide.
Kass emphasized that these technologies are not merely tools but entities increasingly resembling human cognitive capabilities. “We are building machines that possess human intellectual equivalence,” he warned. “In fact, we are trying to generate machines that are smarter than us.”
The Human Question in an AI-Powered World
One of the presentation’s most powerful reflections revolved around the definition of intelligence and identity. “How do we define ourselves in a world where intelligence is no longer exclusive to our species?” Kass asked. “What makes us human when machines begin to think and create like us?”
He introduced a challenging perspective: “Intelligence is becoming something you pay for.” This notion, he argued, could redefine societal structures, raising urgent ethical and economic questions. “If intelligence is commodified, what then distinguishes one human from another?”
AI Ethics: Choices in Human Hands
Despite the disruptive implications of these technologies, Kass made it clear that we are not passive observers of AI’s trajectory. “It is not a machine that will determine our future,” he stressed, “but what we want the machine to do.” He called on governments, companies, and individuals to shape AI development with clear values and long-term goals.
The Paradox of Machine Failure
Highlighting a paradox in public attitudes, Kass noted, “We tolerate human failure, but we have no tolerance for machine failure.” This inconsistency, he argued, reveals the depth of our unresolved fears about technology and underscores the need for a more realistic and informed discourse on its role.
A Call for Human-Centered Innovation
In closing, Kass offered a balanced and hopeful message: the future of AI is still a deeply human story. “We must think more humanely and more responsibly,” he said, “about the world we are building together with machines.” His keynote was not just an update on AI trends—it was an ethical blueprint for the technological era.
For more insights from Expomin 2025, read our coverage of Codelco’s sustainability agenda and the future of mining technologies.