'We should regard it as a privilege to be stepping stones to higher things': How Arthur C Clarke predicted the rise of AGI and the looming demise of humanity back in 1964
From loose ideas of 3D printing to artificial general intelligence (AGI), Arthur C. Clarke made some spooky predictions way back in 1964
· TechRadarFeatures By Ross Kelly published 21 March 2026
Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter
Get the TechRadar Newsletter
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter
While debate over the timeline – or even the potential – for artificial general intelligence (AGI) rages on in 2026, one futurist may have predicted the breakthrough more than 60 years ago.
Noted British science fiction writer and futurist Arthur C. Clarke touted the arrival of AGI during an interview at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.
Speaking to the BBC at the time, Clarke’s sweeping interview predicted everything from "replicator" tools which can “make an exact copy of anything” (3D printing, perhaps?) to the creation of “intelligent and useful servants among the other animals on this planet”.
Article continues below
Great apes, dolphins, and whales were all noted as potential “servants” in this regard, according to Clarke. Suffice to say this prediction hasn’t materialized. What does stand out, however, are his predictions about the future of intelligent machines.
“The most intelligent inhabitants of that future world won’t be men or monkeys,” he said. “They’ll be machines, the remote descendants of today’s computers.”
“Present-day electronic brains are complete morons, but this will not be true in another generation. They will start to think, and eventually, they will completely out-think their makers.”
Clarke pondered whether this prospect was “depressing”, but noted that advances in technology on this front represent the next evolutionary step in humanity’s journey.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors