Bangladesh, Sept. 18 -- Artificial intelligence has moved from the realm of science fiction into the infrastructure of modern civilization. It is already transforming medicine, scientific research, education, cybersecurity, finance and industry. Its potential is enormous. Yet the same technology that could help humanity solve some of its most difficult problems is also raising a question of unprecedented seriousness: what happens if AI becomes capable of improving itself faster than humans can understand or control it?

That question is no longer being raised only by philosophers, science-fiction writers or technology critics. Researchers who have worked inside some of the world's leading AI laboratories are increasingly warning that the...