Silicon Valley’s billionaires have apparently been contemplating the value of most human life, a notion eerily echoed by Pope Leo’s recent encyclical on artificial intelligence (AI). The encyclical’s abstract musings on faith and religion are less interesting than what it reveals about the seismic power shifts in the modern world.
The Pope’s warning that AI could exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities resonates with a sentiment held by many tech moguls. They’re the ones pushing proposals that, in reality, aim to maintain their grip on power and control. These solutions include implementing policies that might help mitigate job losses brought on by automation, but only for those in the lower rungs of the income ladder. The idea is to buy them off, so they don’t get restless.
The notion that many people are disposable is hardly new, but it’s starkly revealed in the context of AI. It’s a stark reminder of how the concentration of wealth and power can lead to a sense of detachment from human life. This isn’t just about the Pope’s words; it reflects a broader anxiety among those who stand to lose the most from AI-powered systems.
The “solution” being proposed by some Silicon Valley elites is eerily similar to how colonial powers used to quell uprisings: by offering crumbs to the subjugated population. It’s an attempt to maintain the status quo and prevent any challenge to their authority.
What this means
The Pope’s warning highlights a pressing concern: that AI could exacerbate existing inequalities and further solidify the power of those at the top. It’s a stark reminder of how the concentration of wealth and power can lead to a sense of detachment from human life. This is not just a theoretical concern; it has real-world implications for how we structure our societies and economies.
