Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) - and more specifically generative AI - is a major technological breakthrough. Not only does it automate complex tasks, but it is also emerging as an active force for innovation. This article explores the hypothesis that AI may be the last great human invention, capable of generating all subsequent innovations. It traces the evolution of AI from its symbolic origins to today's self-improving recursive systems through advances in deep learning. Concrete examples - such as AlphaFold, AutoML and generative art - illustrate how AI is already transforming scientific research, artistic creation and engineering. This algorithmic capacity for innovation even challenges our definition of human creativity. The article also examines the ethical, legal and societal risks associated with such cognitive delegation, and calls for an inclusive governance model for automated innovation. AI does not spell the end of human ingenuity - it ushers in a new paradigm of co-creation.

Keywords: Generative AI; Automated Innovation; Human-Machine Co-Creation; Human Creativity

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Citation

Robin Vivian. “Artificial Intelligence as the Last Invention of Humanity: Disruption, Co-Creation, and Implications". Clareus Scientific Science and Engineering 3.1 (2026): 04-18.

Copyright

© 2026 Robin Vivian. Licensee Clareus Scientific Publications. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.