Thomas Friedman on AI and the Dawn of a New Human Era
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from May 27, 2026 | Hot, Flat, and Fractured: Navigating a World in Turmoil. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Thomas Friedman, renowned foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, joined host Larry Mantle to examine some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. While the conversation touched on geopolitics, Iran, China, and global conflict, Friedman repeatedly returned to a topic he believes will shape every aspect of the future: artificial intelligence.
A Historic Turning Point
Friedman argued that humanity is experiencing one of the most significant transitions in its history. Drawing on a framework he developed with technology strategist Craig Mundie, he described human civilization as moving through distinct phases.
The first was the “Age of Ice,” when people and ideas moved slowly and civilization was shaped primarily by physical tools. The invention of the printing press ushered in the “Age of Water,” where information, trade, and ideas flowed more freely. Today, Friedman believes humanity is entering the “Age of Vapor,” powered by artificial intelligence.
According to Friedman, AI is not simply another technological advancement. It is a transformational force that is being embedded into everything from medical devices and household appliances to transportation systems and military technology.
How AI Is Reshaping Warfare
One of the most immediate examples of AI’s impact can be seen on the battlefield. Friedman pointed to the growing use of AI-enabled drones in conflicts involving Ukraine, Iran, and Israel.
These technologies allow relatively small actors to challenge much larger powers. Inexpensive drones can disrupt military operations, threaten critical infrastructure, and alter strategic calculations in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
At the same time, AI allows powerful nations to conduct highly targeted operations with unprecedented precision. Friedman described this as a world in which “the small can act big, and the big can act small,” fundamentally changing the nature of military power.
The Risks Ahead
While Friedman acknowledged AI’s enormous potential, he also expressed concern about its dangers. He cited recent examples of advanced AI systems identifying vulnerabilities in software and critical infrastructure at a level beyond human capability.
Such tools could eventually be used to target hospitals, energy grids, transportation networks, and communications systems. The concern is not merely theoretical. As AI capabilities continue to accelerate, governments and private companies are racing to understand and mitigate emerging risks.
A Global Challenge That Requires Cooperation
Friedman believes AI represents a planetary-scale challenge that no nation can address alone. He argued that the United States and China, despite their strategic competition, must eventually develop frameworks for responsible AI governance.
Humanity, he said, has entered a new era of interdependence. Whether countries choose to cooperate now or after a major crisis remains to be seen.
For Friedman, the stakes could not be higher. AI offers extraordinary opportunities to solve some of humanity’s greatest problems, but it also presents unprecedented risks. The choices made in the coming years may determine whether this new age becomes a period of remarkable progress or profound disruption.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.