When we talk about artificial intelligence and its systems, we refer to applications that use artificial intelligence technologies, commonly known as artificial intelligence systems (AIS), or autonomous and intelligent systems (A/IS). Since this chapter intends to set the stage for a later discussion of the potential threats posed to human beings by AIS or A/IS, the subjects discussed for this purpose are no longer simply AIS or A/IS, but rather a special type of AIS or A/IS that has certain capabilities and carries a potential risk of harm to human beings. To this end, this book specifically defines the concept of “artificial intelligence actant” (AIA) to explore the potential risk of AIS or A/IS to harm human beings.