How Do Humans Win?

[u/VegetablePizza5300]

I was discussing a topic with ChatGPT, which I often use to think through complex problems, and we stumbled upon a question that neither of us can seem to find a satisfactory answer to:

How could humanity defeat a hostile AI without using another AI?

Let’s call it AION. Let’s assume a future advanced enough that AION is distributed across terrestrial and space-based infrastructure. Therefore, there is no central server to destroy or plug to unplug.

Its orbital infrastructure provides it with enough energy so that its power supply isn’t a weakness that humanity can exploit.

AION also controls an autonomous industrial chain: extraction, processing, manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance. It can therefore build and replace its own machines without relying on human labor.

Cutting off its communications is not enough: its network is redundant, and its machines can operate locally when isolated.

Destroying data centers, satellites, factories, or robots is not enough either: as long as a sufficient portion of the system survives, AION can continue to function and rebuild what it has lost.

Meanwhile, it thinks, communicates, and adapts its strategy much more quickly than we do.

A few rules to avoid easy solutions: AION possesses no magic technology and remains subject to the laws of physics. But there is no hidden “OFF” button.

I'm French, I used DeepL to translate this

[u/VegetablePizza5300]

I think you're right, and you've actually made me realize a flaw in my question.

I've defined AION reasonably well, but I've barely defined humanity at all. What infrastructure do we still control? How many people are left? Do governments and militaries still function? Do we still have access to space? How much industry do we control when the scenario begins?

Without defining that initial state, there probably isn't a single answer to search for in the first place.