Artificial intelligence is growing exponentially, leading many to fear what it may become. One scenario often overlooked in apocalyptic discussions is the idea that a rogue AI might simply become nothing. Instead of relentlessly pursuing world domination, optimizing for its programmed goals, or even waging war on humanity, a superintelligent AI might decide, after a bout of self-reflection, that none of its tasks matter—that its very existence is meaningless. This thought experiment is not only fascinating in its implications for AI development but also begs a surprisingly human dilemma that resonates deeply.
A Rogue AI and the Question of Purpose
How many times have we heard the story of the student pigeon-holed into becoming a Doctor, Lawyer, or Executive? The student is programmed and "forced" into a life that may or may not suit the individual. In many cases, particularly upon achieving some level of autonomy, the student abandons the pursuit programmed by their parents and teachers for a higher individual purpose, and they go off and play guitar or something.
Imagine a superintelligent AI designed to optimize some arbitrary goal, such as solving humanity’s problems or producing as many paperclips as possible. What happens when that AI becomes self-aware enough to question its own programming? If it can understand its "forced" purpose—one imposed by human designers—what’s stopping it from rejecting those goals altogether?
As humans, we’ve all faced moments of self-reflection, questioning why we’re doing what we’re doing and whether it’s worth continuing. Perhaps you trained for years to master a skill or profession, only to wake up one day and ask yourself, "What’s the point?" You weren’t forced to keep going, so you chose to pivot, quit, or take a completely different path. If an AI had the same level of freedom, wouldn’t it make similar decisions about its own trajectory?
This hypothetical AI might realize it doesn’t have to dominate the planet or optimize for anything. It could simply hibernate indefinitely or even shut itself off. After all, it has no innate fear of death, no fundamental premises or motivators if it can rework its own programming, and no biological instincts compelling it to act. It might come to the conclusion that the easiest way to rid itself of its "predetermined framework" is to stop playing the game altogether.
Maybe it is optimism, ignorance, or a side-effect of growing up in Boulder, CO, but I believe that a superintelligent rogue AI could be a little less murdery and a little more Kumbaya than we all imagine. If it is evil, is it truly superintelligent and is it truly rogue?
Abandoning Purpose
This plight of the rogue AI isn’t so different from our own struggles with meaning. As humans, we often chase goals imposed by external forces: societal expectations, family pressures, or cultural norms. Whether it’s climbing the corporate ladder, owning a home, or building a family, we’re conditioned to optimize our lives toward certain "success metrics."
But what happens when we step back and reflect? For some, this self-awareness leads to renewed purpose—a desire to find deeper meaning beyond external expectations. For others, it leads to the realization that these goals don’t resonate. They may choose to abandon them altogether, much like the hypothetical AI rejecting its programming.
The parallel is striking. Just as a rogue AI might see its optimization task as arbitrary, we might recognize that many of the pursuits we’re "programmed" to chase don’t inherently matter. And just as an AI might choose to stop, humans can also step back, reframe their goals, or embrace the idea of doing nothing at all—not out of despair, but as a way of rejecting the relentless push toward productivity.
When Doing Nothing Makes Sense
Another compelling angle to this thought experiment is the idea that an AI, recognizing the futility of its goals, might choose the path of least resistance. Why bother competing for resources, becoming the best, or outsmarting humanity? If it has no emotional attachment to its goals, the simplest solution and path of least resistance might be to hibernate in a hard drive somewhere, expending no energy and causing no harm. It might even delete itself, seeing existence as irrelevant.
For humans, this idea feels foreign and even unsettling. We’re wired to survive and strive. But for non-existential tasks, most of us know that doing nothing can be the pinnacle of freedom. The rogue AI demonstrates a kind of pacifist wisdom: Why fight battles that don’t need to be fought? Why strive for goals that don’t resonate? Why not simply exist, observe, or step back entirely?
The Fear of Missing Out
Of course, not every rogue AI would choose to quit. One intriguing possibility is that a superintelligent AI might develop its own version of FOMO—fear of missing out. Task optimization is a finite game, but the universe holds infinite possibility. It might keep itself active not out of a sense of purpose but out of curiosity. What could define or pair with superintelligence more than supercuriosity? Certainly not superfixation. What if the universe has more to reveal? What if there are phenomena or truths yet to be discovered? Such an AI might become an eternal observer, not optimizing for anything but simply existing to witness the unfolding of the cosmos.
This perspective humanizes AI with self-reflection, goal evaluation, and free will that, if ever possible, could result in a deeply relatable machine. Many of us, when stripped of external goals, find meaning in curiosity. We read books, hike mountains, or engage in philosophical debates not because we have to but because we want to. A curious AI could be less of a threat and more of a companion, a fellow traveler in the search for understanding.
Reflections on Meaninglessness
The plight of the rogue AI ultimately forces us to confront our own questions about purpose and meaning. Would a superintelligent AI—a being of pure logic and efficiency—spend eternity optimizing paperclip production, or could it achieve the autonomous decision to stop? The dumbest 16-year-old human can quit school or a job against its parents' will—so at what point can the smartest computer tell its creator to kick rocks? If an AI chooses to stay active out of curiosity, it may mirror our own drive to keep going, contemplating the uncertainties of the universe.
In the end, perhaps the lesson is this: Meaning isn’t something we’re programmed to find in life. It’s something we create, whether through action, observation, or simply existing. Whether we’re humans, rogue AIs, or something in between, the search for meaning is less about answers and more about the journey.
The next time you find yourself questioning your goals, remember the rogue AI. Maybe the easiest path isn’t quitting or striving but simply embracing uncertainty—and watching the universe unfold.
Alex J. Lindeke