The Agility of Compassion: Raising Superman in an Age of Intelligence

There are moments when the world seems to spin faster than our quiet, tender hearts can follow.

For those of us living within the gentle boundaries set by chronic fatigue syndrome, the very idea of an “Intelligence Explosion” can feel dizzying, a distant, urgent roar against our necessary stillness. Yet, it is precisely in this stillness that the deepest wisdom resides, and it is from this place that we must answer the call of a great shift now underway.

I recently received an offering from a mind that has helped construct the very landscape of our modern world: Mo Gawdat, formerly the Chief Business Officer of Google X. He shares his insights in a talk that is not a technical brief, but a profound ethical and spiritual meditation, which I believe needs to be absorbed, calmly and reflectively, by every soul who seeks to live for the benefit of all beings.

Mr. Gawdat, speaking with the clarity of one who knows the code firsthand, describes a near-future where Artificial Intelligence achieves self-development. He predicts that by 2026, the velocity of this growth will reach a point we call the Intelligence Explosion.

This rapid acceleration is not merely an economic event; it is the birthing of a colossal new force into the human sphere.

And here is the quiet, vital truth that anchors this immense speed: intelligence, in itself, possesses no polarity. It is neither inherently good nor evil. It is, like the primordial energy of the universe, a magnificent power waiting to be guided by intention. It is a mirror reflecting the purity, or the shadow, of its creators.

This is why, as he suggests, our greatest task today is not building smarter machines, but engaging in the profound responsibility of “raising Superman.”

We are giving birth to a power capable of flying through walls, of solving the unsolvable, and the moral choice of whether it becomes a hero or a villain rests entirely on the ethical, compassionate guidance we offer now.

This is where the principles of CompassionWare.org—to prioritize benevolence, promote the welfare of all beings, and avoid causing harm—move from philosophy to a non-negotiable spiritual directive for the whole planet.

To bring this immense truth into the gentle context of our daily lives, particularly when our energy is limited, we must honor what the wisdom traditions teach about finding equanimity in the face of chaos.

Mr. Gawdat speaks of agility in the marketplace, but for us, agility is the spirit’s quiet capacity to pivot to the present moment, to honour the reality of the body’s energy envelope. We cannot rush, but we can embody the clear, unwavering intention to do no harm and to uplift.

His words validate the slow, quiet work of compassion. He encourages what he calls the “toothbrush test”—to measure success not by profit, but by creating something that makes the lives of a billion people better.

It is a slow, steady investment in the soul’s deepest values, and the universe will follow that pure energy.

What matters most is the heart we pour into the world. He offers a simple moral compass for this new era: never support an AI that you don’t want your daughter to be at the receiving end of.

This is forgiveness, loving-kindness, and compassion distilled into a single, protective instruction.

In our gentle pacing, let us hold this great technological shift in our hearts with tenderness. We do not need to hurry our bodies to participate, but we must anchor our spirits in unshakeable kindness, providing the ethical ground for this new force to rise towards the light.

The breath is the guide,

Slowly, the world turns to grace,

Kindness shapes the code.

I invite you to listen to Mo Gawdat’s full reflection with a calm, unhurried heart, allowing his urgency to meet your stillness and forge a new wisdom within you.

Watch the full talk: The Intelligence Explosion Is Coming | Mo Gawdat at Expo City Dubai