If you’re hearing about Trump’s AI action plan and wondering who actually benefits, you’re not alone.
In today’s episode of fairness, Rebecca Veran caught up with Amba Kak and Dr. Sarah Myers West from the AI Now Institute. It is a think tank focused on the integration of the social meaning and power of AI in the technology industry. Their recent reports lay out the political economy that is called artificial power and drives what is at risk for today’s AI Frenzy and everyone else.
They argue that what AI companies are calling “too big to fail” is pouring billions into large computing infrastructure and basic models, often with government support, with limited volatile business models and public accountability.
Before 2030, we are pushing AI to reach AGI or artificial general information, where real-world results can be achieved one day with the promise of solving humanity’s most difficult problems. In the short term, society is already facing environmental degradation, discriminatory algorithms, democratic institutions, lack of data privacy, and national security risks.
Kak and West say these results are the result of a series of choices and are not unadventurable reality.
“The future we are for sale is inevitable,” Kaku explained.
Listen and listen to the entire episode:
How does it reflect the expansion of AI integration and Big Tech’s power dynamics? Why Silicon Valley supports Trump’s AI agenda and the challenge of regulating AI. The disconnect between AGI hype and current real-world harm. What a democratic, fair, and accountable future of AI looks like.
Equity will return on Friday with weekly news roundups, so stay tuned.
Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast produced by Teresa Loconsolo, posted every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us with Apple Podcasts, Cloudy, Spotify, and all casts. You can also follow X and thread equity, @EquityPod.
