Electricity is a natural phenomenon, yes, in the clouds, maybe elsewhere. But using giant turbines to generate electricity by manipulating the electromagnetic field mechanically, thus harnessing electricity to flow into wires and into our homes required a lot of invention.

We also invented a method to refine electricity into nanometer sized channels and sinks that enable bits that enable computing.

Nuclear fission is also a natural phenomenon. And we invented bad things with it. But also some power plants. Meltdowns aside.

Inventions aren’t good or bad. People are. If all soldiers choose to lay down arms the weapons lose their badness.

I don’t see ML systems as they currently are, to be nuclear bombs i.e. the end. But rather akin to the nascent forms of harnessing electricity with basic inventions and their basic functions.

Invention of electricity contributed necessarily to the creation of computing. And ml systems will contribute to many developments. Time will tell.

The coming apocalypse has always been us, not the things we create.