Vold sounds like someone I'd like to share a drink with. All this brouhaha with AI is a result of our hubris, which can harm us (Forbidden Planet is a great lesson) and not a boon (out of the head of Zeus sprung Athena).
Being sentient doesn't imply brilliance or rational intelligence. Take a look around at what's been going on for about 300,000 years with us. Half of us are still below average IQ.
This reminds me of what an old teacher told me of people he knows who are experts in their fields but outside of their fields of expertise, he sees them as educated idiots.
Any AI program put in complete control of any program that could harm us, and does, cannot be attributed to the AI itself, but to the stupidity of the people who put it in charge. We've a long way to go before AI can supersede us but a short way to go for it to upend us.
All the best,
Nonoise