Colonialism, AI, and the Apocalypse: A Brief History of Intelligence

In this talk, we take a closer look at the concept of “intelligence" and ask: what actually lies behind this enigmatic concept — one that some hope for, whilst others fear?

Delving into the depths of history, we uncover problematic roots: tests developed to justify forced sterilisation; colonial worldviews that equated “civilisation" with European ways of thinking; and pseudoscientific rankings that classified people as “valuable" and “inferior".

These traditions continue to permeate our education systems and ways of thinking to this day — and are now finding their way into AI. Artificial Intelligence carries the promise of cleverness right in its name and is reshaping what we understand by intelligence. Our greatest concern and hope is that it will one day become “smarter” than us. But what are we actually hoping for? Whose intelligence is recognised, and whose is not? And how does existential fear become a tool for power and profit?

This talk invites critical reflection: on intelligence as an instrument of domination – yesterday, today and in the supposed apocalypse of tomorrow.

Dieser Programmpunkt wird durch die Stiftung Mercator unterstützt. / This programme session is supported by Stiftung Mercator.