"AI Employees Are Coming" - A Dystopian Future!

 by Brian T. Lynch, MSW

Dystopia on the rise! 

This advertisement exemplifies the inhumanity, greed, amorality, and sociological ignorance typical of some corporate leaders and wealthy oligarchs. It reflects a shared goal of creating a perfect social order for the financially privileged that leaves a dystopian future for the rest of us. It is sociopathic to see AI replacing human workers as having any positive social value. Even from a practical economic perspective, it makes no sense.

Economies depend on consumption, fueled by the purchase of goods and services. A more even distribution of wealth (including fair wages) ensures broad participation in commerce by most people, thereby maintaining a healthy economy. Conversely, higher unemployment and falling wages decrease consumption, leading to economic decline. Any savings from an "AI employee" benefit the owners of capital at the expense of workers.

There are almost ten times as many wage earners as corporate owners and managers combined. Limiting their purchasing power only harms the economy. Unlike wage earners, an "AI employee" is not a consumer. Our economic models are biased because they ignore this fact: workers are also consumers. Where are the customers (and employees) in this ad? Look again. How much coffee will AI employees buy from that store behind the sign? Notice there are no pedestrians on the sidewalks or cars on the street. This represents what we should expect if AI replaces people in the workforce. 

We, the majority, can only hope for a happy and productive life if we unite in rejecting the AI narrative being forced upon us.