World War III could pit humans against robots, but people might be the ones who start the conflict.
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen raised that possibility during an October 2026 interview in New York. He suggested that frustration with increasingly intelligent machines could drive humans to attack them, potentially provoking retaliation.
Speaking with investor Anthony Pompliano at the Silvia Investor Summit, Cohen expressed concern that artificial intelligence could eventually leave people struggling to compete with machines.
He suggested that resentment towards robots could trigger a confrontation, rather than machines launching an unprovoked attack.
The discussion, published on The Pomp Podcast on 13 October 2026, explored the risks of advancing AI and automation.
Cohen did not predict an approaching world war. Instead, he described a hypothetical conflict driven by human frustration.
Why Humans Might Start a War Against Robots
Science fiction often portrays intelligent machines turning against humanity.
Cohen offered a different possibility: humans could strike first if robots become more capable and productive than the people working alongside them.
He suggested that people could become increasingly frustrated as machines outperform them. In his scenario, that resentment could eventually lead humans to attack robots, prompting the machines to retaliate.
'Whether that ends up being World War III, I don't know,' Cohen said during the interview.
His remarks were speculative, not a warning based on evidence of an impending conflict.
Cohen offered no timeline or evidence that existing robots were preparing to attack humans. Instead, his comments reflected concerns about how society might respond to increasingly powerful technology.
GameStop CEO Fears AI Could Trigger Widespread Unemployment
Beyond the possibility of conflict, Cohen expressed concern about the economic consequences of artificial intelligence, particularly its potential impact on employment.
He argued that increasingly capable machines could make it harder for people to compete in the workplace. As automation advances, businesses could rely more heavily on AI systems to perform tasks traditionally handled by human workers.
Cohen also raised concerns about consumer spending.
If AI adoption leads to widespread unemployment, household incomes could suffer. That could reduce demand for goods and services, potentially affecting businesses across multiple industries.
The result could be a damaging domino effect.
Companies might become more productive through automation while facing weaker consumer demand. Cohen fears that widespread job displacement could undermine the economy that businesses depend on.
GameStop Is Already Adopting AI Despite Cohen's Concerns
Despite raising concerns about automation, Cohen acknowledged that GameStop is already using artificial intelligence across its operations.
During the interview, he said the video game retailer had followed an AI-first approach for at least several quarters. He also discussed efforts to make the business more productive as AI technology advances.
His comments highlight a challenge facing businesses.
Artificial intelligence offers opportunities to improve efficiency and automate work, but widespread adoption could also disrupt employment and consumer spending.
Cohen did not say that GameStop's use of AI had directly caused job losses.
His concerns focused on the broader economic implications of increasingly capable machines, rather than specific employment consequences at the retailer.
More Than Five Million Industrial Robots Are Already Working Worldwide
Cohen's remarks come as industrial automation continues to expand.
However, the robots operating in factories today are fundamentally different from the intelligent adversaries often portrayed in science fiction.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, the number of industrial robots operating worldwide reached approximately five million in 2025, an increase of 9% from the previous year. Factories also installed more than 600,000 new robots, up 11% annually.
The figures, released on 24 September 2026, demonstrate the growing use of robotics in manufacturing.
However, industrial robots generally perform specialised tasks within controlled environments. Their increasing numbers do not suggest that machines are developing hostile intentions or preparing to confront humanity.
For now, a war between humans and robots remains a highly speculative possibility.
Cohen's more immediate concern is what happens to employment, household incomes and consumer spending as AI becomes more capable.
The challenge is whether businesses and societies can benefit from automation without leaving large numbers of workers economically vulnerable.
