Artificial intelligence (AI) appears to be ubiquitous in 2025. Are we currently in an AI wonderland? Will AI be a magical solution that improves the world for everyone? Many enchanted with it believe so. Others are skeptical of its magic. Before it is too late, humanity must reflect on where the world is headed and whether we want to go where AI is taking us. We must ask fundamental questions about who we are, whether artificial intelligence is real intelligence, and what we hope to achieve.

"India has become an aspirational society" is a popular description of the outcome of India's 'liberal economic' reforms in 1991. 

Are policymakers hallucinating when they imagine India has become an aspirational society? Are all Indians keen to experience luxury? And, if all want it, can they afford it? Who has become aspirational? What are they aspiring for? Are their aspirations being fulfilled?

Artificial intelligence is not the solution. Since powerful and autonomous AI agents will not need instructions from human beings, let us imagine what problems they will be inclined to use their power to solve.

A fear is that AI will reduce the need for human work, and reduce the numbers of jobs and reduce incomes. Tech enthusiasts and economists say, don’t worry. There will be new jobs in the green economy; also, jobs to provide for increasing needs for care as populations age. They have hopes that since humans have not found good solutions for complex problems of economic inequity, climate change, and societal dystrophy, artificial intelligence is our saviour. But let’s pause and think before we outsource our future to AI.