The insidious thing about AI isn't some sci-fi, extinction scenario, but its ability to exert control and exacerbate issues of loneliness & isolation. This is already happening.

In the old days, people would socialize and gather at a frequent basis. Tribal gatherings, big families, taverns, etc. Over the past century, places of gathering and communities as a whole have gradually eroded. The television, suburbs, cars and transportation. Media-driven polarization. Then, the internet. Why engage with your community when you can chat to strangers on the internet, and find niche communities that share all of your unique interests, who may validate you, confirm your biases, and put you in an isolated bubble. And that's where AI comes in: taking this to its logical extreme. Why go out into the world, organize, and speak to real humans when you can have your AI assistant discuss whatever it is you want to discuss, be knowledgeable in every single niche, and so good at mimicking humanity... without pesky annoyances such as different opinions, mood swings, different interests, or need for empathy.

I reckon the endgame for them is to have everyone zoning out in front of a digital screen, chatting to a virtual chatbot that is perfectly tailored to you and your interests, driving people increasingly insane. The estranged wife's chatbot convincing her that her husband is indeed cheating, the schizophrenic being convinced that he is the chosen one, the lonely person believing the chatbot is their friend. All people being told that their biases and beliefs are valid, all of them isolated, alone, and increasingly delusional.

I'm already seeing it with my old mother. She constantly jumps to AI chatbots for information. She would argue with me about something, and then change her mind as soon as the AI chatbot agreed with what I said. I think that we are unfortunately done as a species, and AI is the beginning of the end.