Now look: I could mention Blade Runner, or The Matrix… or any of a number of my favorite movies about the future.

But one movie got the emotional reality of our AI future more correct than any other, and it’s not what you think.

Yes, of course I’m talking about the 1992 Disney Animated classic, Aladdin.

One of the all-time greats.

Why is this such a good mental model?

In AI, we all found a magic lamp. We all have own own personal genie. And each of us is being granted more than three wishes on a daily basis, or at least as many as our subscription quotas will allow.

In the hands of the benevolent among us, we’re using those wishes for things like: “Let’s provide clean drinking water for all the citizens of the globe!” You get the idea.

Some of us are Aladdins, using the genie for good.

But whoever owns the lamp can control the genie.

The genie in Aladdin’s hands? Hilarious.

The genie in Jafar’s hands? Terrifying.

Because the genie has to do whatever the operator tells it to, it can either be incredible or horrific.

…or, like the movie, we can set the genie free.

And just hope that all it wants is a trip to Disneyland.