Artificial intelligence is increasingly compared to past transformative technologies such as electricity, the internet, and industrial machinery. Supporters argue that AI could dramatically increase productivity, enable scientific breakthroughs, and improve decision-making across many sectors. Critics and researchers, however, warn that the technology may also introduce risks including labor disruption, algorithmic bias, misinformation, and concentration of economic power. Policymakers, technology companies, and researchers are currently debating how AI should be governed and integrated into society. As the technology continues to develop rapidly, public perceptions about its long-term role remain diverse and evolving.