Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), sometimes referred to as human-level artificial intelligence, is the idea of machines becoming as smart and adaptable as humans. Although we have powerful frontier models like LLM, vision modules, and AI agents, they cannot fully generalize like humans while AGI can. In that sense, AGI sounds like something that came straight out of science fiction, and tech companies are currently rushing toward the goal of developing AGI. Yet, the idea of building man-made intelligences started more than 200 years ago, when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, warning us about what happens when humans make something powerful without thinking about its consequences.
In the novel “Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus,” Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant yet obsessed scientist who breaks the traditional norms by creating life from the dead. Today’s AI labs also aim to create machines that can learn, reason, and make decisions by itself. This aspiration to build something new and innovative is admirable, but Frankenstein shows us what happens when ambition rules over responsibility. Victor creates life and yet doesn’t know what to do with it afterwards. He abandons his creation, which ultimately leads the creature to unintentionally hurt humans with its extreme physical strength.
Similarly, AGI development cannot just be about who builds the smartest system. We should always ask questions like “are we ready to guide and control it?” If not, we are repeating the same mistake as Frankenstein did, creating something powerful before we’re prepared to handle it.
Researchers worry about intelligent systems with exponential capacity of learning and independence that humans may not fully understand or control. The real fear is that AGI’s influence might be far-reaching than the creature’s physical power in the novel. Whereas the creature from Frankenstein gradually develops morality, AGI might behave rationally but not necessarily morally. Shelley’s warning is that power without oversight can bring chaos, which also applies to modern engineers.
As shown in the novel, Frankenstein’s creature is emotional. He wants friendship, love, and acceptance. His violence comes from pain and rejection, not programming errors. AGI, on the other hand, doesn’t feel anything. While Frankenstein is a tragedy of emotion and care, AGI proposes a challenge in ensuring proper control and safety.
With self-driving cars running on the roads, LLMs writing and designing things for humans, and robot assistants working with surgeons, Shelley’s 1818 novel feels a lot less old-fashioned in this modern world. Technological breakthroughs are never just about what we can build, but should accompany thorough steps that ensure a safer, better future. If we treat AGI with responsibility, we will be able to use the wonderful technology in everyday life as a tool, or even as a companion.
