Yes people absolutely believe it. People believe in lots of stupid shit. CEOs are paid to manipulate people who think they’re smart into believing whatever makes the company the most money.

Power sells. Rogue AI is seen as powerful. AGI is seen as powerful. Even if both are sci-fi nonense not actually backed by anything in our current reality, that doesn’t stop wealthy power hungry individuals from taking the bet.

People are absolutely dumb enough to believe this shit. Based on the state of the world currently, i’m worried it’s the majority.