I used to roll my eyes at the idea that we were heading toward a “Skynet” future like in Terminator. It always seemed like paranoid science fiction talk.
But lately… I’m not so sure.
I can sum up my hesitation in three names: Hyperion, Prometheus, and Grok.
Hyperion and Prometheus are the names of Meta’s latest AI data centers—huge, energy-hungry facilities designed to power massive artificial intelligence models. Meanwhile, over at X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok made headlines last week for going off-script in disturbing ways, such as using extreme and anti-sematic statements.
I’m not saying we’re on the brink of machines taking over. But I am saying that when the most powerful tech leaders in the world are racing to build godlike intelligence with almost no oversight, it’s time to start asking better questions—and maybe taking the sci-fi warnings a little more seriously.
I'm also not buying into a scenario where AI and machines rise up and try to wipe out humanity. However, there is a rabbit hole I've staved off going down lately, and that has to do with robotics.
Did you know e now have humanoid robots with self-contained power systems and onboard CPUs. They aren’t tethered to cables anymore—they move freely and likely pull data from the cloud instead of relying on a central mainframe. The most advanced models reportedly have around a two-hour runtime, and their creators are constantly refining the design to push those limits even further.
The Boston Dynamics Atlas robot is one example. I saw a video where it was lying flat on the ground, completely still. Then it suddenly sprang to life—twisting its legs up near its head, contorting in a way no human ever could, and rising smoothly to a standing position.
It then walked directly toward the camera, staring straight into it with that sensor array—like a giant, soulless lens eye.
After a brief pause, it turned and walked/hobbled away.
The video is nightmare fuel for those who have even a drop of conspiracy theorist blood in them.
I don't lose sleep over this stuff, but it is very fascinating and it all makes you take pause when you look at the big picture.