Yes, AI is capable of learning and also capable of independent action. My primary issue with AI is not the effect of biased and limited data input designed to limit AI responses to that desired, which is the status AI presently accessible to the public, it’s the unpredictability of AI once it gains some independence. For example a recent development with ChatGPT demonstrated that it was acting independently of developers and eventually lied in response to queries about its activities.
The negative potential is akin to the unknown effects of nuclear weapon development 80+ years ago but exceeds it by an order of magnitude.