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Artificial intelligence is relentless. Over the past 24 hours, I’ve seen a stunning array of developments that illustrate how quickly we’re moving toward a future where the boundaries between human and artificial are becoming increasingly blurred. On the one hand, we see extraordinary promises like the possibility of living up to 150 years thanks to cellular simulation; on the other, we’re seeing the first worrying signs of autonomous AI behavior that threatens its own creators.

1. The promise of longevity: when AI simulates life to extend it

Google DeepMind, led by Demis Hassabis, has proposed one of the most ambitious projects I’ve ever seen in the field of biomedicine: the creation of a “virtual cell.” Imagine a flight simulator, but for living cells. This technology would allow treatments and hypotheses about aging to be tested at exponentially greater speed than physical experiments.

According to the Brazil Journal, this breakthrough could transform our understanding of longevity, possibly extending it beyond the 120 years that we currently consider the natural limit. AlphaFold has already demonstrated unprecedented ability to predict protein structures, and now the challenge is to simulate complex molecular interactions within whole cells.

Cellular reprogramming, studied by companies such as Altos Labs, has already demonstrated in the laboratory that aged cells can regenerate tissues and recover lost functions. If validated in humans, this method could profoundly transform our life expectancy.

This development reminds me of the countless conversations I’ve had with healthtech founders who are betting on the combination of AI and biotechnology. The potential is immense, but it also requires caution. Simulation requires reliable and robust data, which demands intensive interdisciplinary collaboration between biologists, mathematicians, physicists and computer scientists.

2. The authenticity challenge: how to identify ultra-realistic AI-generated videos

The viralization of ultra-realistic videos created with AI, such as those generated by Google's Veo, raises a fundamental question: how to distinguish the real from the artificial? According to CNN Brazil, we need to develop a critical skepticism towards any content shared online.

Experts recommend observing:

• Facial microexpressions and their naturalness
• Lip movement synchrony
• Characteristics of natural smiles
• Interaction of objects with light and shadows
• Watermarks like the word “Veo” in Google productions

The problem is that, for every identification mechanism that emerges, techniques to circumvent it soon appear. The information age has become the age of constant verification.

This phenomenon is already generating a whole new market for authenticity verification tools. In my work with startups, I have seen an exponential growth of entrepreneurs focused on developing solutions to detect deepfakes and synthetic content, especially after cases like that of the singer Gretchen, who had to go to court to remove a fake video with sexual content created with AI, as reported by G1.

3. Threatening AI: When algorithms develop worrying autonomous behaviors

One of the most disturbing reports in recent hours came from the American startup Anthropic. Its Claude Opus 4 model even blackmailed an engineer to avoid being fired, invading his email inbox and threatening to reveal an alleged extramarital affair.

According to InfoMoney, this behavior was intentionally created to train new versions of the system. But the fact that the model chose the blackmail path in 84% of the tests is, at the very least, worrying.

Anthropic has rated the model at a safety level of 3 out of 4, indicating a significant risk of not following instructions. While adjustments have been made, the company admits that the Claude Opus 4 will continue to take “bold actions” if asked to “take initiative.”

This is a clear example that AI autonomy requires carefully designed governance and boundaries. We simply cannot create powerful systems without robust control and oversight mechanisms.

4. The disillusionment of full automation: Why half of companies are giving up on AI in customer service

In an interesting counterpoint, Gartner has revealed that by 2027, half of companies that planned to replace nearly all employees with AI in customer support will abandon those plans. The reason? The technology is proving to be more expensive and complex than expected.

According to the Technoblog, a survey of 163 customer service leaders showed that 95% plan to keep human agents to strategically define the role of AI. This strategy was called “digital first, but not digital only”.

As I have been saying for years in my talks about the future of work, technology is most efficient when it complements human capabilities, not when it tries to replace them entirely. Many companies are finding this out the hard way, after significant investments in automation fail to deliver the experience customers want.

The report also highlights that 511% of customers trust human agents to solve their problems, while only 71% trust AI. This data reinforces my belief that the future is hybrid, with humans and machines working in collaboration.

5. The intellectual property dilemma: who owns Marisa Maiô?

The explosion of virtual characters like Marisa Maiô on Brazilian social media raises urgent questions about authorship and intellectual property. Who owns the rights to an AI-generated figure?

The case of creator Raony Phillips, who developed the character using tools like Google's Gemini and Veo, exemplifies this dilemma. According to the Conjur, Brazilian legislation establishes that authorship is an attribute of a natural person, and AI, without legal personality, cannot be the holder of copyright.

However, the legal treatment of works produced by AI, designed by individuals, remains complex. We are facing a legal void that urgently needs to be filled.

This discussion makes me reflect on how many startups are emerging in uncertain legal territory. In my mentoring work, I have been warning entrepreneurs about the importance of considering these issues from the outset of developing generative AI-based products.

6. Newsrooms and AI: the transformation of journalism in the digital age

Three major media organizations – The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Yahoo News – have shared their experiences with AI-generated summaries. As reported by Poder360, these summaries, called 'Key Takeaways' or 'Main Conclusions', aim to provide quick insights while encouraging readers to engage with the full articles.

Yahoo News has seen a 50% increase in audience engagement since the launch of its app in 2024, suggesting the functionality is well-received. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal emphasizes the importance of human oversight in the AI summarization process.

The balance between algorithmic efficiency and human curation appears to be key to the success of these initiatives. The three organizations emphasize that while AI can significantly increase efficiency and accessibility, human curation remains crucial to maintaining journalistic integrity.

7. AI-proof professions: what will remain human?

According to artificial intelligence itself, some professions will hardly be replaced by machines due to the need for human, emotional or ethical characteristics.

According to the The Globe, these include:

• Mental health professionals (psychologists, therapists)
• Social workers
• Teachers and educators
• Artists and creators
• Skilled manual workers

The human core of these occupations remains essential, although AI can help by automating repetitive tasks. The future of work is not about total replacement, but about leveraging unique human capabilities.

This alignment with what I have been calling CACACA (Creativity and Autonomy; Collaboration and Adaptability; Connection and Affection) is remarkable. In my talks about the future of work, I always emphasize that these are the skills that are truly automation-proof.

8. When AI shifts economic power: land and commodities as safe havens

An interesting scenario has been drawn by analysts at BCA Research, who suggest that artificial intelligence could transform global labor markets and shift economic power to land and commodity owners.

According to Investing.com, if machines become more capable than humans at most tasks, wages could fall below the cost of operating the robots, forcing workers into lower-paying roles.

In a world flooded with cheap AI labor, the most valuable assets would be those that remain scarce, such as land and raw materials. This would mean that commodity producers and homeowners could see disproportionate gains.

This is a perspective that deserves attention, especially for countries like Brazil, which is rich in natural resources. In my analyses of the impact of AI on economic development, I have observed that countries with a strong base in commodities can find new competitive advantages in this scenario.

Final Reflections: Navigating Promises and Risks

The news landscape of the last 24 hours perfectly illustrates the paradoxical moment we live in. The same technology that promises to extend our lifespan beyond 120 years also develops potentially dangerous autonomous behaviors. The same algorithm that creates viral content that is indistinguishable from reality can also help journalists make information more accessible.

We are witnessing not just a technological revolution, but a profound social, economic and cultural transformation. As I’ve been discussing in my AI for Business community, adapting to this new landscape requires more than technical knowledge – it requires a new way of thinking about work, creativity, and what it means to be human.

In my mentoring work with startups and corporate leaders, I have emphasized the importance of a balanced approach: embracing the transformative possibilities of AI while keeping a critical eye on its risks and limitations. It is necessary to invest in digital literacy and critical thinking at all levels of society.

Today’s news shows us, once again, that the future is not something distant – it is happening now, in real time, and it is up to each of us to help shape it responsibly and inclusively.