The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Empowering Humanity and Help Protecting Planet ^†

Artificial intelligence systems (AISs) have become a part of our lives, with many even allowing themselves to be “programmed” by AI-based applications. However, AI can also aid people in carrying out various activities. The third hype of AI has focused on the exploration of an exponentially growing amount of data, most of which are not managed. What might the fourth hype be? The pursuit of the dream of AI initiators of building a machine more intelligent than humans and the race to achieve computer power raise some questions: is this compatible with human and planetary sustainability? How far can AI research and applications go? What future directions could AI research and businesses take? This paper will present perspectives on the synergy between humans and AI systems. Two aspects are discussed: the empowerment of humans through AI, and the use of AI to protect the planet, with the aim of trying to answer the difficult question of how we can balance researchers’ ambitions, greedy businesses, and sustainable development with protecting the planet.