I wonder if anyone who watched Star Trek and some sci fi films were given possible visions of utopian societies that still inform them. Dystopian ones were supposed to be a warning.
I also think it's quite difficult for Westerners to grasp Japanese concepts. Because of it's long time isolation, deliberate seperation and adherance to traditions it does appear at times like a different planet , so I only grasp them in an oblique way.
I think humans have been 'intelligent' for many thousands of years. Cave paintings are very sophisticated, and again that's why our collective culture is so important, it's a record of how we lived at a particular time and often the only thing that survives(except for a few flint arrows in that case).
I suppose pre agriculture revolution most people had to be a master of many trades, whereas now we tend to specialise and really develop individually in specific areas. Which is also important and leads to rapid advancement in those areas.
I'm actually positive about AI, it can take over many functions that it's good at and free humans up to focus on new or specific areas. I think if humans are going to explore the cosmos then it will be invaluable. Look at modern fighter jets, fly by wire, but for space craft.
I'm not to optimistic that humans won't over populate, and consume Earth's resources or destroy it in other ways. Also as gamers say after they've been beaten by an AI system, no human would have made that move, or chosen that strategy, so it becomes a mutual learning process.
I do find evolution fascinating and have read Darwin's original and some newer concepts.
But like you say, we can't let the few create a new technocracy, somehow all humans need to work together to create better future collectives. There's no reason a few should have massive wealth they can't really spend, while 99% struggle.
Everyone should have; housing, enough food, enough energy, good healthcare and good quality education.
I'm such a utopian dreamer