Are we humans unstoppable?: a conversation with Yumal Noah Hariri

“We have conquered the planet, but we have not yet learned to master ourselves. That is the real challenge of humanity.” Yumal Noah Hariri

With a mixture of historical rigor and a provocative approach, Yuval Noah Harari has become one of the most influential contemporary thinkers. His books explore the history of our species, not only to understand how we got here, but also to project where we might be heading in a world transformed by the power of technology and the complexities of globalization. In his latest work, Unstoppable, Yuval reflects on the human impulse to always go “beyond”, to overcome any limit, and how this desire for expansion and unbridled progress has made us the dominant species on the planet. However, this very impulse poses an existential risk: by moving forward without stopping, we could be approaching an abyss. Yuval has said that he wrote this book, in part, as a way to answer the questions that troubled him as a young man: where does this relentless urge to conquer and transform lead us? Unstoppable invites readers to question whether we are truly unstoppable… or if we should learn to stop ourselves before it is too late. I invite you to join me on this journey through the mind of Yuval Noah Harari, to reflect on whether the human being is really unstoppable… or if we need to learn to stop before crossing a dangerous threshold. With the help of ChatGPT, I have created a mock interview inspired by Harari’s ideas, books, and interviews. This conversation attempts to capture the essence of his thinking about the risks, hopes, and big questions facing our species.

Are we really on the road to a bright future, or rather on the edge of a precipice?

Motivation & Purpose

Yuval, in your books you explore topics as vast as human history, the impact of technology, and the ethical dilemmas of our time. What drives you to address these issues so ambitiously and to constantly question the direction of our species?

The motivation to write Sapiens came from my desire to explore where we came from and how we came to be who we are. I wanted to tell the full story of humanity, from the first humans who walked the African savannah to the moment we began to build civilizations and dominate the planet. Sapiens is an account of our cultural and biological evolution, an exploration of how our beliefs, myths, and social structures have shaped the world.

However, understanding the past was not enough; I also needed to reflect on the future. Homo Deus explores a future where the power of technology and artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities, but also new risks. Here, I worried about how our ambitions might lead us to want to be “gods,” overcoming our own biological and moral limitations, without really knowing where that path will take us.

Finally, with Unstoppable, my intention was to bring these reflections to a younger audience. In a way, I wrote it for myself, to respond to the concerns I had as a child. This book explores how the human desire to overcome every obstacle, to move forward without restraint, has made us a dominant species, but it also poses an existential risk. I wanted to show that this ambition can be both our greatest strength and our downfall. Unstoppable invites readers to ask themselves if we are capable of controlling our own power, setting limits when necessary, and redefining “progress” in a more sustainable and ethical way. The central question of Unstoppable is not only what else we can achieve, but whether we know how to stop before our search for more leads us to the abyss.”

Why are humans unstoppable?

In your books you describe humans as “unstoppable” and with an insatiable drive to expand. Where do you think this constant need to conquer and overcome limits comes from?

The human need to conquer and push boundaries is, in large part, a reflection of our evolution as a species. Unlike other animals, which adapt to their environment in a limited way, humans have developed a curiosity and an impulse for improvement that lead us to modify our environment instead of just adjusting to it.

We are “unstoppable” in two senses. First, because we have become the most powerful animal on the planet. No other species has the reach, influence, or impact that humans have achieved. Lions, elephants, or even whales, while impressive and strong, cannot compare to us in terms of collective power. We have bent nature and conquered the Earth in a way that no other species has been able to.

But there is another, perhaps deeper, sense in which we are unstoppable: we do not know how to stop ourselves. No matter how much we accomplish, we always want more. This insatiable desire, this constant restlessness, is an essential part of our nature. From ancient empires looking to expand their territories to today’s powers exploring space and seeking to overcome human limitations, we’re always looking for something beyond what we already have. Cultural and myths of progress perpetuate this ambition, convincing us that our purpose is to keep moving forward, no matter the cost.

The paradox is that, although we are the most powerful species on the planet, that does not mean that we are invincible or wise. This power that has allowed us to dominate the planet and explore space could also lead to our own destruction if we fail to control it. This is perhaps our biggest dilemma: Can we learn to find a balance, to be satisfied with what we have achieved, or will we continue to move forward unchecked, even if it means putting our own survival at risk?”

The power of stories

In your books you talk about the power of stories to unite us. To what extent do you think our stories shape our identity?

Our stories have immense power, because they shape not only our collective identity, but also our purpose and the way we relate to the world. The stories we tell ourselves—such as those about “being unstoppable” or “always having more”—act as lenses through which we understand concepts such as success, courage, and purpose. From childhood, we are immersed in stories that teach us to always aspire to more, to see success in terms of achievements and accumulation. And, although these stories can be powerful engines of growth and improvement, they can also lock us in a cycle of dissatisfaction and excessive expectations.

How might we create stories that foster a more balanced mindset?

To achieve this, we need narratives that value progress not just as “more,” but as “better”— more meaningful, sustainable, and humane. Stories that celebrate not only lonely heroes, but those who contribute to the well-being of their communities and find satisfaction in everyday life. Media, education, and leadership have a key role to play in promoting these new stories, highlighting interdependence, connection to nature, and self-care. We need narratives that show that “being unstoppable” also means knowing when to say “enough,” when to prioritize balance over expansion. In the end, stories are powerful tools that can transform our societies and priorities.

If we learn to tell stories that value balance and respect for ourselves, others, and the planet, we can aspire to a deeper, more sustainable culture, beyond mere expansion and accumulation.

Youth the most defenseless link

In your book you talk about youth as the most defenseless link in society. Could you tell us a little about that?

Young people are the most defenseless link in society in the sense that they have not yet internalized the great stories that govern our lives. Think about topics like money, God, or politics. We adults have already heard these stories so many times that we don’t even question them; we accept them as absolute truths, as if they had always been there. We use money on a daily basis, but when was the last time we stopped to reflect on what money really is and why it has value? For young people, however, these stories are new. They are not conditioned by years of repetition and acceptance. So they often ask themselves, “What is this? Does it have to be like this?” This ability to question is extremely powerful, but it also makes them vulnerable, because they do not yet have the tools to defend themselves from the narratives imposed by society. If no one encourages them to think critically, they run the risk of absorbing the same beliefs without questioning them.

Throughout history, many of our beliefs and social structures have been based on made-up stories. For centuries, for example, it was believed that men were superior to women, and that belief limited women in many aspects of life. It was a story that someone made up, and it was repeated so much that everyone accepted it as truth. But over time, new generations began to question this narrative. Youth movements, such as the May Protests, the Arab Spring, or the Civil Rights Movement, challenged and changed histories that had been considered immutable.

Young people, precisely because of their freshness and curiosity, have the power to point out that some of our stories are just that: inventions. This allows them to question them and, if necessary, rewrite them. That is why I consider that young people are the most defenseless link, but also the most promising. If our society aspires to evolve, we need young people who dare to challenge the stories that no longer serve us and who, with their creativity and courage, can write stories that lead us towards a better future. Supporting young people in this task is one of our greatest responsibilities if we want to build a more just and conscious culture.

Technology and human limits

In your works you have discussed how artificial intelligence and new technologies could exceed our capabilities. Do you see this as an extension of our drive to “be unstoppable”? What risks and opportunities do you think this poses?

Artificial intelligence and new technologies, in a sense, are a direct extension of our drive to be “unstoppable.” Throughout our history, every tool, every breakthrough, has helped us overcome our limitations, expand our reach, and gain more control over the world. AI, however, represents something different. It is the first technology that not only expands our capabilities, but could surpass us in some aspects. We are faced with a tool that does not merely obey, but has the potential to decide and create for itself, sometimes in ways we cannot foresee or understand.

This development poses enormous risks and opportunities. The opportunity is that AI could help us solve complex problems that have so far been insurmountable. It could transform medicine, help us tackle climate change, and optimize resources in ways we didn’t even imagine before. However, the risk is that, by delegating more and more important decisions to artificial intelligence systems, we run the risk of losing control over fundamental aspects of our lives and our society. It is increasingly common for decisions in our lives not to be made by a person, but by a machine. Think, for example, of YouTube: when you finish watching a video, it’s not a human being who chooses the next content that is suggested to you, but an artificial intelligence algorithm. It’s the AI that decides for you, something unprecedented in history.

In addition, AI can create ideas on its own, so it has the potential to change our relationship with knowledge and with ourselves. AI can create texts, music, images, and videos on its own. We may be living in just a few years in a world where most decisions are not made by humans, where stories are not told by humans. By relying on systems that know us better than we know ourselves, that can predict and manipulate our decisions, we could lose an essential part of what it means to be human: autonomy, reflection, the ability to make conscious decisions and to make mistakes. In this sense, AI not only amplifies our capabilities, but also threatens to redefine who we are.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence reflects humanity’s insatiable drive to always go further, to expand its power and knowledge. But this urge to “be unstoppable” could also lead us to a point where we disconnect from ourselves. AI could help us create a more equitable and efficient society, but if we don’t set clear ethical boundaries and reflect deeply on its impact, it could also amplify our dissatisfaction, leaving us in a world where we have more power, but less control over our lives. Perhaps our most urgent task is to learn to be “unstoppable” with wisdom, to slow down when necessary, and to constantly ask ourselves if we are building a future that we really want to inhabit.

Skills for the future

What skills and knowledge do you think would be most valuable for the students of the future?

It is a very complex question, but absolutely crucial, because we are at a unique moment in history: we do not know what the world will be like in 20 or 30 years. In the past, although we could never predict the future completely, we knew that certain aspects of life would change little. In the Middle Ages, for example, a peasant could teach his children how to mow, cultivate, and build tools, because he knew that those skills would still be useful to the next generation.

Today, however, we do not have that certainty. We know that many current professions will disappear and new ones will emerge, but we do not know which ones. Therefore, teaching specific technical skills might not be the best strategy. A few years ago, we said that programming was the skill of the future; Today, with artificial intelligence capable of programming on its own, even programming may no longer be so essential for humans in 20 years.

The only really valuable skill for the future will be the ability to continuously learn and adapt. The key is to be flexible and to learn to unlearn, that is, to detach ourselves from what we think we know, because what we understand today as true could become irrelevant or even be an obstacle in a constantly changing world. Imagine having to relearn how to move or interact in a virtual environment where the laws of physics could be different: that’s something that, for today’s young people, could become a reality.

Therefore, the most important attitude is flexibility and humility to say “I don’t know”. This requires courage, especially in an education system that often punishes ignorance rather than valuing it as the first step toward knowledge. Instead of focusing on specific skills, we should focus on instilling skills such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to collaborate in diverse teams. These skills will enable students to not only adapt to change, but also question and improve the world around them. Finally, in a world where change will be constant, the ability to recognize our limits and to continue learning will be the most essential skill of all. Technology, if we use it wisely, can help us in this process, offering us access to global resources and knowledge. But we need a mindset of continuous learning, adaptability, and curiosity, so that today’s young people can not only navigate tomorrow’s uncertain world, but also contribute to shaping it, building it, and questioning it when necessary.

The dilemma of dissatisfaction

Artificial intelligence and other technologies can give us greater conveniences, reduce the effort required to perform many tasks, and relieve us of various practical problems. However, I believe that technology cannot really satisfy the inner restlessness that characterizes us as human beings. That dissatisfaction is a fundamental part of our nature, a kind of engine that pushes us to question, to seek purpose and to explore the unknown. It’s something that goes far beyond simply living in comfort; it has to do with our curiosity, with the desire for meaning and with the need to find our place in the world.

Interestingly, this same dissatisfaction has been, to a large extent, the impetus behind our history of innovation. It is what has led us to build civilizations, to study the stars, to develop art and, today, to create artificial intelligences. In many respects, our concern is the spark that ignites each of these achievements. Without it, we might not have made it out of the cave.

The danger of modern technology, however, is that it makes us believe that such a concern can be satisfied with material goods or quick and easy experiences. Social media, instant-consumption devices, and apps that offer us immediate gratification can trap us in a cycle of consumption, in which we seek to fill that existential void with the next innovation or the latest technological advance. But usually, this only leads to greater dissatisfaction, because true fulfillment is not found in the accumulation of technology or instant gratification, but in how we use those tools to know ourselves better and understand our place in the universe. Perhaps the real challenge of our age is to learn to manage the “creative dissatisfaction” that drives us to explore and grow, without falling into the “destructive dissatisfaction” that locks us into a cycle of consumption and momentary gratification. In this way, we will be able to harness the potential of technology without losing sight of the deeper purpose of our existence.

How might we learn to be satisfied with what we have?

Learning to be satisfied with what we have is, in fact, one of the most difficult tasks for human beings. Throughout our history, restlessness has been an essential driving force: it has led us to explore, to innovate, to grow. However, that same restlessness, without limits, can become an inexhaustible source of dissatisfaction. Perhaps the key is not to turn off that impulse, but to learn to balance it and find satisfaction in what we already have, instead of always looking for more. Practicing gratitude, for example, is a powerful tool. It helps us to stop and value our relationships, our accomplishments, and the experiences that have made us grow, instead of focusing only on what we lack. Something as simple as taking a few minutes each day to reflect on three things we are grateful for can transform our perspective and help us appreciate more of what we have. It is also helpful to reevaluate our goals and priorities, asking ourselves if the goals we pursue really come from our inner desire or if they are external influences—from culture, family, or society—that we have taken on without question. This type of self-knowledge is key to orienting our lives based on what really matters to us. In addition, learning to enjoy the process, not just the result, can bring us more lasting satisfaction. When we see value in growth and learning, regardless of whether we reach a specific goal, we find meaning in the journey itself. This shift in focus allows us to value experiences and their lessons, not just the ultimate successes. Developing a mindset of sufficiency is also critical. Recognizing that “enough” does not mean conforming, but understanding that we already have what it takes to be happy in many aspects. This doesn’t stop us from aspiring to more, but it helps us balance our ambitions with a sense of fulfillment and peace. It’s an antidote to the urge to accumulate non-stop and allows us to enjoy more of what we’ve already achieved. Finally, disconnecting from social comparisons, especially in a world dominated by networks and consumption, is vital. Focusing on our own growth, without constantly comparing ourselves to others, allows us to reduce dissatisfaction and stay focused on our own values. Setting limits on the use of social networks or practicing moments of disconnection can help us regain our perspective. And ultimately, developing a sense of inner purpose—whether through service, creativity, connection to nature, or continuous learning—can offer us much more stable and profound satisfaction than any material achievement.

Being satisfied does not mean giving up on our dreams, but finding a balance. It means realizing that true fulfillment doesn’t come from accumulating things or accomplishments, but from living a life of purpose and meaning, guided by what really matters to us.

A special gift

Yuval’s proposal is simple: it encourages us to cultivate curiosity to get to know ourselves better, the flexibility to adapt and the ability to value what we already have. To use technology not only to advance in the world, but to connect with ourselves and with others. Perhaps the key is not to always pursue “more,” but to find a balance and live in a way that each step reflects who we are deep down. This holiday season, if you’re looking for a special gift for your son or daughter, consider Unstoppable. It is a book designed for young people, designed so that they look beyond the stories that adults have told them, question them and begin to build their own ideas about the world. More than a reading book, Unstoppable is a tool to help them face the challenges of our time with an open and critical mind, so that they learn to think for themselves, to question the “why” of things and to imagine a more just and sustainable future.