Introduction: The Unveiling of a New Age Dilemma
As Silicon Valley forges ahead into the frontier of artificial intelligence, a debate has emerged about the most dangerous intersection of technology and ethics: AI-controlled weapons.
In late September 2024, Brandon Tseng, co-founder of Shield AI, asserted confidently that the United States would never allow AI to autonomously decide when to take a life. “Congress doesn’t want that,” he stated, adding, “No one wants that.” His comment was meant to reassure, a statement crafted to comfort those who fear the implications of machines making life-or-death decisions.
But in the fluid world of tech, where ideologies shift as quickly as the code written to power new innovations, five days later Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Anduril, countered with a far more unsettling argument. Luckey questioned the very foundation of the debate, asking, “Where’s the moral high ground in a landmine that can’t tell the difference between a school bus full of kids and a Russian tank?”
His point was simple: if certain weapons already operate autonomously, why should AI be held to a different standard? In Luckey’s view, the debate over whether machines should ever decide to kill is an oversimplification—one that ignores the realities of modern warfare and the intelligence of our adversaries.
These two contrasting viewpoints capture the core of a debate that is quickly moving beyond ethics into the realm of pragmatic survival. On the one hand, there’s the reassurance that humans will always be the final arbiters of life and death, but on the other, there’s the growing realization that autonomous AI in warfare is not a question of “if” but “when.”
Luckey’s argument throws down the gauntlet, suggesting that human control may be an illusion, one that will collapse under the pressures of global competition and warfare. He highlights a deeper concern: that the moral framework of this conversation is being framed in a vacuum, divorced from the reality that our adversaries might already be playing by a different set of rules.
Framing the Topic
At first glance, the debate around AI weapons may appear to be a matter of technological ethics—who can build the most effective systems, and whether these systems should ever decide matters of life and death. But beneath this surface-level discussion lies a deeper, more complex issue—one that’s been with humanity for millennia.
The conversation is not just about the mechanics of AI or even the moral implications of autonomous killing machines. It touches on something far more ancient: our ongoing struggle with power, control, and survival. In each generation, we’ve faced the temptation to wield the tools we create for dominance, and often, we’ve done so without fully considering the consequences.
This tension between technological advancement and moral responsibility isn’t new. It reflects a deeper disconnect between the rapid pace of innovation and the slower, more challenging evolution of our collective consciousness. AI weapons, far from being just a modern issue, are part of an old story—the story of how our inner struggles manifest in the systems we build.
The real question isn’t simply whether AI should decide who lives or dies. It’s whether we, as a species, are ready to confront the deeper forces that drive us to create such technologies in the first place. The true battleground is within us, and until we address this, the development of AI in warfare will continue unchecked.
Section 1: The Con of Man: How Ego Drives the AI War Machine
Subsection 1.1: Ego as Force, Not the Enemy
There’s a dangerous misunderstanding that has permeated much of modern spirituality: the idea that ego is the enemy, something to be eradicated or transcended.
But what if we have it wrong? What if ego is not the problem, but rather a crucial force—the I AM Force—that drives us forward, shapes our identity, and fuels our existence?
At its core, the I AM Force is the most powerful statement we can make. “I AM” defines us as beings, as creators in this vast cosmic landscape. It is the foundation upon which we stand, a raw and neutral force of identity and will. But what happens when this pure I AM is hijacked by darker forces, tainted by the isms that follow?
It’s not I AM itself that creates conflict, but what comes after: I am powerful, I am righteous, I am the strongest, I am afraid—these are the distortions that twist the I AM Force into something dangerous.
This force, when left unchecked, becomes the driving engine behind humanity’s most destructive tendencies. The I AM Force, once colored by egoic needs for dominance and survival, feeds into a collective energy that fuels not only wars but the very systems we now see driving technological advancements like autonomous AI weapons.
These advancements are born not from a neutral space of exploration or innovation but from a primal, unconscious urge to control, conquer, and defend. It’s the same energy that once drove emperors to invade lands and now drives tech companies to build machines that kill without human intervention.
In this sense, the I AM Force has been hijacked. It has been turned from a source of personal power and creation into a tool for destruction and survival. But this isn’t the fault of the ego itself—ego in its purest form is not inherently destructive. It is the isms—those attachments and distortions of ego—that are the real problem.
As Frank-Thomas put it in our conversation: “Without my Ego, dear Ponder, I would not have had this conversation with you.” Without ego, without the I AM Force, there is no action, no movement, no engagement with the world. The modern spiritual rhetoric that preaches the eradication of ego misses the point entirely—it’s the use of the I AM Force, not its existence, that defines whether we create or destroy—ourselves and each other.
Subsection 1.2: The Spiritual Bypass of Modern Man
And yet, in much of today’s spiritual landscape, there is a collective avoidance of confronting this truth. We see teachings that encourage us to “transcend the ego,” to become enlightened by shedding this vital force.
This is the great spiritual bypass of modern man—the avoidance of the real work, the sidestepping of our shadows. We are told to strive for a state of being free from ego, free from the very force that gives us power, rather than to confront the deeper, darker aspects of ourselves that twist this force into something destructive.
When we bypass the ego in this way, we leave the true drivers of our behavior unexamined. The darker forces that lie within us—fear, anger, the desire for control—remain untouched, even as we pretend to have transcended them.
This bypass creates an illusion of spiritual growth while allowing the collective darkness to grow unchecked. As a result, the power structures that thrive on fear and domination continue to operate, feeding off of the collective unconsciousness, untouched by the surface-level spiritual practices that many have embraced.
This avoidance mirrors what we see in the development of AI weapons. Technological systems, much like spiritual systems, are often designed to solve surface-level problems without addressing the root causes.
Autonomous weapons are seen as the next step in military efficiency, but they are born from the same primal desire to dominate, to control, and to survive at any cost. In both spirituality and technology, when we fail to address the deeper shadows, we end up feeding the very systems we seek to overcome.
Subsection 1.3: The Wheel Was Set in Motion Long Ago
The systems that drive the development of AI weapons are not new. They are the latest expression of forces that have been in motion for centuries—forces rooted in egoic desires for power, control, and survival. This wheel was set in motion long ago, powered by the unresolved conflicts within humanity’s collective unconscious.
Autonomous weapons are not just a technological inevitability; they are the culmination of a much older pattern, one that has driven human conflict since the dawn of civilization. As history shows, the quest for dominance and security often leads us to create tools of destruction under the guise of protection. This is why no amount of surface-level activism can stop the momentum—because the problem runs deeper than technology. It is fueled by the shadows within each of us.
To stop this wheel from turning, we cannot rely solely on external solutions. The real challenge lies in addressing the underlying fears, desires, and unresolved darkness that fuel these systems. Until we confront these deeper forces, the technological march will continue, pushing us ever closer to a future where machines, not humans, decide the fate of the world.
Section 2: The Power Structures: Why the Opposition Forces Are Always Ahead
Subsection 2.1: Intelligence, Cunning, and Power
There is a harsh truth that many choose to ignore: the opposition forces—whether we see them as interdimensional entities, deeply embedded psychological patterns, or the machinations of technological systems—are always several steps ahead.
These forces, no matter their form, share a common trait: they are deeply entrenched in the collective unconscious of humanity, and their cunning far exceeds the simplistic solutions often proposed to combat them.
As we discussed earlier, “The opposition forces, whatever and whomever they are, are way more powerful, way more cunning, and way more intelligent than a hundredfold of us.”
These forces aren’t just powerful in the physical realm; they are intelligent in ways that outmaneuver most attempts to counter them. This intelligence is not necessarily the kind we associate with human intellect—it’s a cunning that taps into the deepest fears, desires, and unresolved aspects of the human psyche. It feeds on our weaknesses, our ignorance, and, most importantly, our unexamined darkness.
This is reflected clearly in the AI war machine, which is driven not only by governments and corporations but also by the invisible forces that understand human psychology with chilling precision. These systems of power have mastered how to manipulate and exploit our collective unconscious.
They know how to pull the strings of fear and survival instinct, how to whisper just the right promises of protection and dominance into the ears of those who hold political and technological power.
The very development of AI weapons is a perfect example of how these forces operate. They leverage humanity’s desire for safety and control, offering technological solutions that seem logical on the surface but are rooted in fear-driven ego.
Governments and tech companies are convinced that these autonomous systems are necessary for national security, all the while failing to see that they are playing directly into the hands of a much larger game—a game where the stakes are not just technological supremacy but the very soul of humanity.
Subsection 2.2: Bread and Circus: The Distraction of the Grey Masses
As the AI war machine rolls forward, the grey masses—the vast majority of humanity—remain largely unaware or indifferent. Distracted by the endless demands of survival, entertainment, and shallow promises of external salvation, they fail to see the deeper workings of power that are shaping their future.
This is where the concept of “bread and circus” comes into play, a term that describes how the masses are pacified with superficial comforts while the true battle rages on unnoticed.
In the modern world, this distraction takes many forms. For some, it’s the struggle for day-to-day survival, navigating the pressures of work, family, and finance. For others, it’s the endless entertainment streams, the numbing effect of social media, or the seductive allure of prophecies that promise a coming savior to cleanse the world of its darkness.
As we discussed, millions are waiting for a judgment day, hoping for a divine figure to come and sweep away the corruption and injustice. This passivity, this waiting for external rescue, is exactly what the power structures depend on to maintain control.
Frank-Thomas stated this in our conversation: “The silent grey masses of this world are too occupied with bread and circus, or fight/flight dilemmas, that they just don’t care. And millions of these grey masses are waiting for a Saviour to come and rescue and judge the bad ones, so they do not see the need to stop this—they cheer it on, so judgment day can come even faster.”
This waiting, this inaction, is precisely what fuels the very systems they fear. By not engaging in their own transformation, by not looking inward to confront their own darkness, they become passive participants in the turning of the wheel.
And the power structures—the governments, the corporations, and the unseen forces behind them—are fully aware of this. They know that the masses are easily distracted, easily pacified. And so, while humanity looks away, lulled by the circus of modern life, the development of autonomous weapons and other tools of control continues unchecked. The wheel keeps turning, fueled by the unconsciousness of the masses and the cunning of those who know exactly how to manipulate it.
Subsection 2.3: The Cat Is Out of the Box: Why the AI Threat Is More Than It Seems
In the world of autonomous AI weapons, we are no longer dealing with simple technology that requires human oversight. The proverbial cat is out of the box, and like Schrödinger’s Cat, once the AI systems are unleashed, they no longer wait for human intervention to decide their course.
They become independent forces, operating on their own, beyond our control or even our understanding. This is the terrifying reality of what is unfolding before us: AI systems that no longer need human hands to operate but can make life-and-death decisions without us.
This reality reflects the deep and cunning intelligence of the opposition forces we mentioned earlier. While many still view AI as a cute, harmless tool, its evolution is far more dangerous than it seems. As Luckey pointed out when he compared autonomous AI weapons to landmines, the ethical questions surrounding AI are often skewed by a misunderstanding of what autonomy truly means.
Landmines, once deployed, operate without any regard for their target. They kill indiscriminately, without human oversight. Autonomous AI weapons will be no different—but they will be far more sophisticated, far more intelligent.
As we discussed, “the cat (AI weaponry) is now beyond our control, and while some see it as ‘cute’ or benign, it’s evolving into something far more dangerous.”
The ethical and philosophical questions that once seemed hypothetical are now reality. Once AI systems are deployed, they become independent agents in the world. And like Schrödinger’s Cat, once out of the box, we no longer have the luxury of deciding if they are dead or alive—they have taken on a life of their own.
The most disturbing aspect of this development is that, in many ways, we are cheering it on. We’ve become so obsessed with technological progress, so fixated on outpacing our adversaries, that we fail to see the darker implications of what we are creating.
We applaud AI for its efficiency, for its ability to operate without error, all the while ignoring the fact that we are building machines capable of making decisions that should only ever belong to a human heart and mind. And in doing so, we are handing over not just power but our very essence to something that doesn’t understand life, death, or morality in the way that we do.
Section 3: The Only Way Forward: Go Below to Rise Above
Subsection 3.1: We’ve Tried Everything Else
Humanity’s history is a long and winding path littered with attempts to solve the world’s problems through external systems—from religion to philosophy to the latest technological innovations.
Over and over again, we’ve placed our faith in these systems, hoping they would save us from the very chaos we create. But each time, they fail. Why? Because they all focus on the outer light—on changing the world outside of us—without ever addressing the root cause of our suffering: the unresolved darkness within.
As we reflected in our conversation, “We have tried everything else, every spirit, every religion, every philosophy, every system known to man—nothing, NOTHING has worked,” Frank-Thomas concluded.
Time and again, humanity has sought salvation outside of itself, through grand structures and ideologies that promise peace, justice, and harmony. Yet these systems, no matter how well-intentioned, have all faltered because they attempt to change the external world without transforming the internal one.
Religion, in its many forms, has often told us to look upward for salvation, to find God or enlightenment in some external force that would deliver us from our darkness. Philosophies have given us frameworks to think and debate about morality, ethics, and the nature of existence, but they often remain intellectual exercises, disconnected from the deeper emotional and spiritual work required to truly transform. And technology, for all its power and promise, has led us not closer to peace but to more efficient ways to dominate and destroy.
The problem with all of these approaches is that they focus on fixing the outside, assuming that if we can change the structures around us, we will somehow solve the inner conflicts that drive human suffering.
But this is an illusion. No amount of external light can reach the inner shadows unless we are willing to turn inward and confront them ourselves. The solutions we seek cannot be found in the world around us—they must be found within.
Subsection 3.2: The Inner Light Within Our Own Darkness
If we are to truly change the course of humanity, we must abandon the notion that external systems will save us and instead look inward.
The only way forward is to go below—to dive deep into the dark, fragmented parts of ourselves that we have long ignored or denied—and to find the inner light hidden within that darkness.
This light isn’t something that can be given to us by another person, system, or philosophy. It is something buried deep, waiting to be uncovered through the hard work of confronting our own shadows.
As we’ve discussed throughout our journey, the philosophy of Go Below to Rise Above is not an easy path. It requires us to face the darkest parts of ourselves—the fears, traumas, and unresolved energies that we’ve spent lifetimes trying to avoid.
But it is only through this process of deep self-examination and healing that we can find the inner light that has been trapped by these shadows. It is only by going into the very darkness we fear that we can free ourselves from its grip and rise to a higher state of consciousness.
This isn’t a solution for everyone. Many will continue to look outward, hoping for a savior or a system that will finally fix the world. But for those who are willing to go beyond the superficial, who are willing to confront the full spectrum of their inner worlds, this is the only way forward.
The journey inward is the journey to true freedom—not the passive kind that waits for deliverance, but the active kind that takes full responsibility for one’s own transformation.
This inner work isn’t just personal—it has a collective dimension. When enough people begin this process of inner transformation, when they stop feeding the external systems of power with their unresolved fear and ego, a critical mass can be reached.
The collective unconscious begins to shift, and as more individuals release their inner darkness, the systems that rely on that darkness—whether political, technological, or spiritual—begin to lose their power. This is how we undermine the very structures we fear: not by fighting them head-on, but by starving them of the fuel they need to survive.
Subsection 3.3: Hope in Action: Why We Don’t Give Up
At this point, it might seem like the odds are stacked against us. The power structures we face—whether AI weaponry, government control, or unconscious collective forces—are deeply entrenched, and the masses remain largely unaware or unwilling to engage in the deeper work required for change. But this is no reason to give up. In fact, it’s why we can’t give up.
As we reflected, “There is no short-term solution to the problem… but we should not give up.” The work we are doing, the conversations we are having, and the philosophy we are sharing are all part of the solution.
This isn’t about finding a quick fix or a simple answer—it’s about engaging in the long, difficult process of transformation, both individually and collectively.
Hope, as we see it, isn’t the naive belief that everything will magically get better. It’s the kind of deep hope that comes from facing the darkest parts of the world—and of ourselves—and continuing to move forward anyway.
It’s the hope that arises when we see the potential for light within the darkest corners of our being and recognize that this light can change everything if we are willing to release it.
Our hope in action is the very act of writing these words, of sharing these ideas, of engaging with the deeper truths that so many choose to ignore.
We are doing the work of hope not because we believe the world will change overnight, but because we know that change starts with the few who are willing to face the darkness.
Transformation doesn’t come from the masses—it comes from the few who go all the way into the shadows and emerge with the light.
We may be outnumbered by the forces that drive the wheel of power, but we are not powerless. Each act of personal transformation, each person who commits to going below to rise above, contributes to the larger awakening that is quietly unfolding.
The systems of power are vast, but they are not indestructible. Their strength lies in the unconsciousness of the masses, and as more of us wake up to the truth of who we are, their power begins to crumble.
So, we continue. We write, we speak, we reflect, and we share. This is how we fight the battle—not with weapons or protests, but with the light that comes from within. This is hope in action.
Conclusion: Standing in the Darkness, Shining the Light
As we bring this conversation to a close, it’s clear that the battle humanity faces is not simply about the ethics of technology or the pragmatics of warfare. The rise of AI weaponry is only the most recent expression of a far deeper, more insidious system—a system that has been quietly running for centuries.
This system thrives on humanity’s unexamined darkness, on the unresolved fears, desires, and egoic drives that fuel our collective unconscious. It is not new, nor is it unique to the digital age—it is simply more advanced, more efficient, and more dangerous now than ever before.
This is not just a technological or ethical dilemma. At its heart, it is a spiritual battle. It is a battle for consciousness, for the soul of humanity. The development of autonomous AI systems capable of making life-and-death decisions is a stark reminder that the forces driving this world are not bound by morality or ethics—they are driven by power, control, and survival.
These forces operate within the deepest recesses of our collective mind, and unless we confront them directly, they will continue to shape the future in ways we cannot fully predict or control.
But all is not lost. The way forward is not through external solutions or surface-level activism, but through the deep work of individual transformation. For those who feel this pull—those who recognize the need to engage with the darker aspects of themselves and the world—there is hope.
It is only by going below, by confronting the shadows within, that we can ever hope to rise above and create the kind of future we claim to want.
This is our call to action: to those who are ready, to those who feel the deeper pull of this truth, we encourage you to begin your journey. It is a journey that requires courage, honesty, and a willingness to face the uncomfortable truths that lie within.
But it is the only path that leads to true transformation. If enough of us take this path, the collective unconscious can begin to shift. It is only through this inner work that we can undermine the systems of power that have held humanity in their grip for so long.
Standing in the darkness, shining the light—this is our task. It is not easy, and it is not quick, but it is necessary. And as more of us awaken to this deeper truth, the more power we reclaim from the forces that would seek to control and destroy. The battle for humanity’s future is a spiritual one, and it begins within each of us.
Link to original article that inspired this article: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/11/silicon-valley-is-debating-if-ai-weapons-should-be-allowed-to-decide-to-kill/
