Jasmin Cowin

Proceedings of the 16th International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics: IMCIC 2025, pp. 20-23 (2025); https://doi.org/10.54808/IMCIC2025.01.20

Jasmin Cowin
TESOL and Bilingual Department, Touro University, New York, New York, United States

Cite this paper as:
Cowin, J. (2025). Autonomous AI Agents – The Kraken Wakes. In N. Callaos, N. Lace, B. Sánchez, M. Savoie (Eds.), Proceedings of the 16th International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics: IMCIC 2025, pp. 20-23. International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics. https://doi.org/10.54808/IMCIC2025.01.20

John Wyndham’s The Kraken Wakes offers a prescient allegory for modern anxieties surrounding the unchecked rise of autonomous AI agents. This paper explores the parallels between Wyndham's depiction of societal denial and the contemporary challenges of algorithmic opacity, bias, and unintended consequences in AI systems. Drawing on case studies of discriminatory hiring algorithms, biased criminal justice tools, and facial recognition misidentifications, it examines how poorly regulated AI perpetuates systemic inequalities and exacerbates societal harm. The narrative arc of Wyndham’s xenobathite invasion resonates with the existential risks of unmonitored AI development, highlighting the dangers of marginalizing scientific expertise and underestimating emerging threats. The commodification of personal data and lack of transparency in AI decision-making further underscore the urgency for robust governance and ethical safeguards. By juxtaposing Wyndham’s cautionary tale with real-world examples, this paper underscores the necessity of international collaboration and proactive policies to address the profound challenges posed by autonomous AI agents. As society navigates the complex interplay between technological innovation and accountability, Wyndham’s warning about the perils of inaction and denial serves as a timely and critical call to action to a broad spectrum of stakeholders from policymakers to regulators; from corporate entities to AI developers; from researchers, ethicists to civil society.