This chapter explores the ethical, cultural, and regulatory dimensions of artificial intelligence (AI), situating today’s debates within a broader historical context—from ancient automata and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to modern systems like ChatGPT. It argues current concerns around privacy, surveillance, academic integrity, labor, and misinformation are not entirely new, but rather echoes of long-standing societal dilemmas reappearing in new technical forms. Using examples from higher education, facial recognition, and military AI, the chapter illustrates how cultural myths, policy decisions, and technological developments shape public understanding and response. This chapter also compares international approaches to AI regulation across the US, EU, Canada, and BRICS countries, revealing fragmented and often inconsistent governance strategies. Instead of offering a binary stance for or against AI, the chapter encourages critical engagement. It calls for increased AI literacy, ethical reflection, and participatory governance as essential tools for navigating the role of AI in education and society.