When AI takes over everything: Will humans still be free or will they become robots?

One morning, you turn on your computer. On the screen is not only a to-do list but also meal times, breaks, and travel routes, all pre-programmed by AI software, optimized down to the minute.

Office workers work under the supervision of AI systems

In many corporations, AI algorithms have replaced humans in assigning shifts, monitoring progress, and evaluating performance. At the urban scale, AI coordinates traffic, controls energy, and forecasts security.

Tireless, error-free, processing millions of data in the blink of an eye, AI is making the management system smoother and more economical than ever.

When man becomes a tool

The ideal that AI brings is to free people from repetitive work, giving them time to innovate, research and develop themselves. But in reality, when decision-making power falls completely into the hands of algorithms, humans risk losing their proactive role.

According to The Verge , Amazon has deployed an automated system to monitor worker productivity, capable of sending warnings and even terminating employees without management approval.

Axios reported that at one warehouse in Baltimore alone, about 300 employees were laid off under this mechanism between 2017 and 2018.

On a societal scale, if every behavior is monitored and suggested by AI, from shopping to moving, the risk of losing personal freedom is real. At that time, humans can be turned into "biological robots" living according to predetermined scenarios, lacking creativity and diversity.

Race to the limit

Many countries are looking to control the risks of AI. The European Union has enacted an AI Act, requiring high-risk systems to be closely monitored. Meanwhile, China’s social credit system, while effective in management, has been controversial because it infringes on personal freedom.

In Vietnam, AI has begun to participate in many social and business management activities. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are testing AI traffic camera systems to automatically detect violations, direct traffic flows, and reduce congestion.

AI applications in human resource management, logistics and retail are also gradually appearing. Some e-commerce businesses have tested AI systems to optimize warehouse operations, allocate orders to shippers based on location, delivery habits and processing capacity.

In the field of human resource management, many companies are using facial recognition timekeeping software or performance evaluation systems based on online work data. This helps increase productivity and reduce fraud, but at the same time, it also raises concerns about privacy and the risk of workers becoming "numbers" in a spreadsheet.

These moves show how AI is creeping into everyday life, creating both opportunities and concerns. Workers will enjoy reduced paperwork, but also face the pressure of being “tracked by machines.” Without a clear legal framework and transparent oversight mechanisms, the risk of abuse is real.

The human-technology boundary

The problem is not AI itself, but how humans use it.

First and foremost, AI should be a tool to assist, not a complete replacement for human will. A data optimization plan can still lack the emotion and humanity that only humans can bring.

Second, there is a need for a clear legal and ethical framework that ensures transparency in how AI is deployed, especially in the areas of human surveillance and management.

Finally, there is human adaptability. If workers simply follow AI’s orders without understanding how it works, they will lose the ability to think critically and creatively. On the other hand, if equipped with digital skills and independent thinking, humans can master technology, turning AI into a companion, not a shackle.

Controller or controlled?

The question “Will AI turn humans into robots?” is essentially a wake-up call. Technology is neutral. The future depends on the choices we make.

If we give AI all the power, humans will voluntarily live according to predetermined patterns. But if we know how to set limits, uphold human principles and values, AI can help us liberate labor, expand creative space, and redefine freedom in the digital age.

In the age of artificial intelligence, the question is no longer "What can AI do?", but how do we want AI to serve humans?

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/when-any-one-manages-everything-humans-will-have-to-do-or-se-thanh-robot-20250826143515094.htm