<p>The concept of “survival of the fittest,” a phrase more closely associated with Herbert Spencer’s social Darwinism than Charles Darwin’s biological theory, is being strategically co-opted to justify a global race in artificial intelligence (AI) characterized by mass layoffs, significant environmental degradation, and a disregard for long-term societal consequences. This brief communication critiques this prevailing socio-technical trajectory, arguing that the contemporary definition of corporate and national “fitness” as one of sheer speed, scale, and automation is fundamentally unsustainable and misaligned with human interests. We systematically highlight the profound human cost, evidenced by widespread job displacement and the devaluation of labour, alongside the escalating environmental toll of energy- and water-intensive data infrastructures. The piece concludes that this path is a product of political and economic choice, not technological inevitability, and issues a call for international policymakers to redefine “fitness” through robust, coordinated ethical governance. This entails enforcing algorithmic transparency, penalizing reckless automation, and strictly aligning AI development with global sustainability and human welfare goals to secure a liveable future.</p>