In this essay, we critically analyze the hyper-expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), understood primarily as automation based on software systems that perform tasks according to human models and programming. By situating the discussion between technological determinism and ethical sovereignty, we examine the mismatch between the narrative that attributes cognitive autonomy to AI and its strict computational nature, dependent on technical, political, and moral decisions made by people. It is argued that this technodeterminist rhetoric,amplified by the technological "boom" and "hype," supports massive investments (financial, infrastructural, and energy-related) that are often disproportionate to the actual or measurable returns, creating inflate dexpectations and obscuring ethical dilemmas regarding responsibility, resource use, and social impacts. The research is based on a review of technical literature on energy consumption, operational costs, technological expansion cycles, and ethical-philosophical debates that question the inevitability of AI advancement. As a limitation, there is no collection of empirical data, which reduces the accuracy of quantitative analyzing and reinforces the theoretical-conceptual nature of the essay. Thus, the conclusions do not constitute an absolute truth, as the field is continuously evolving. It is essential to highlight that the "intelligence" of AI refers, inpractice, to processes of computational automation, and not to autonomous cognitive abilities. This clarity avoids inflated narratives and allows for a responsible assessment of their real limits. Considering this, the results indicate risks to the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the accelerated expansion of AI, highlighting the need to reassess dominant narratives, reinforcing the necessity for more careful, ethical, and transparent approaches regarding its costs and systemic implications.
Authors: BRANDÃO, I. C.
DOI: 10.29327/7738001
Publish Year: 2025
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