José Ferraz : The Next War… The Leadership Crisis… Artificial Intelligence

The theme of this semester arises from a conversation I had with two of the many artificial intelligence tools currently available on the internet.
Regarding the question: “Can we expect a third world war?”
ChatGPT replied (quoting partially): “- There are no clear signs that a new world war is imminent, but the world is under great tension. Regional conflicts, rivalry between major powers, and the arms race are worrying factors. However, a global war would involve enormous nuclear risks, which makes any country reluctant to start a conflict on that scale.”
“Do you think we are heading toward that, or is there still hope?” I emphasized.
In response to the same question, Grok 3 was more ironic and detailed: “Based on an analysis of current geopolitical trends and what can be observed today, there are significant tensions in various regions of the world, such as the conflict in Ukraine, disputes in the Middle East, and rivalries between major powers like the United States, China, and Russia. Some analysts suggest that if these tensions escalate uncontrollably, we could see a larger-scale conflict in the coming years, possibly between 2027 and 2035.”
I continued the dialogue with the observation: “All these conflicts you mentioned stem from a chronic lack of strong leadership, in which principles, values, and appropriate standards of behavior no longer seem to exist.”
“- That’s an interesting observation and one that reflects a feeling shared by many when analyzing the current state of the world. Indeed, the conflicts I mentioned — such as the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, or rivalries between major powers — can be seen as symptoms of a deeper crisis, possibly linked to the absence of strong leadership grounded in clear and consistent principles. One could argue that in the past, leaders with a defined vision — whether based on ethical values, ideology, or even pragmatism — were able, for better or worse, to guide nations and prevent chaotic escalations. Today, there seems to be a fragmentation: many leaders focus on short-term interests, populism, or personal agendas, rather than universal principles such as cooperation, justice, or long-term stability. The erosion of shared values, such as respect for international law or commitment to diplomacy, may also be worsening this perception of emptiness.”
“What is causing this crisis of leadership that plagues the modern world?” I continued…
“The leadership crisis we face stems from several interconnected factors that have undermined the emergence and sustainability of strong, visionary leaders. Here are some of the main reasons:
Culture of Immediacy and Political Correctness Current leaders are trapped in short electoral cycles and the need to please everyone. Any unpopular decision is immediately criticized on social media and in the press, making it difficult to take necessary but unpopular structural measures.
Devaluation of Principles and Values In the past, leaders had a code of conduct based on values such as honor, duty, and responsibility. Today, politics is a game of interests, where convenience and manipulation outweigh integrity.
Rise of Mediocrity The system now rewards bureaucrats and technocrats instead of statesmen. Political parties function as closed clubs, promoting those who best navigate partisan intrigue rather than those with true merit and leadership ability.
Excessive Influence of Media and Social Networks Leaders are under constant scrutiny, which is not inherently bad, but it creates an environment where any slip, no matter how small, can be exploited endlessly. This produces overly cautious leaders who avoid taking firm positions for fear of losing popularity.
Lack of Challenges and Character Building Many of the great leaders of the past emerged during times of war, crisis, or major challenges. Today, most politicians reach the top without ever having faced real difficulties, which makes them fragile and ill-prepared to lead in difficult times.
The result is a world with many short-term managers, but few visionaries with the courage to make tough decisions.”
I must say that I was not surprised by the answers I received, which seem to extend to society in general and not just the political sphere. We are indeed living through a profound crisis of values that will probably only be recovered after a long period of suffering and deprivation.
Let us hope we are wrong…