A new class of kowtowing elites is emerging in China and the United States, tied to AI fortunes that prioritize the leader’s inner circle.
According to David Waldner, a political scientist who studies autocracies, the AI boom has created a unique environment where new tech fortunes are more likely to prioritize loyalty to a leader over traditional elite values. This shift has significant implications for the global balance of power.
China’s Rise to Autocracy
China’s ascent to AI dominance has been remarkable, with Beijing’s leadership investing heavily in emerging technologies like AI and facial recognition. This has helped Xi Jinping consolidate power, creating a vast network of loyal elites who owe their fortunes to the leader’s favor. The old guard of Chinese elites, made up of wealthy business leaders and intellectuals, have been largely sidelined in the process.
Waldner points out that this phenomenon is not unique to China. The United States, too, has seen a similar trend emerge, with AI fortunes tied to the Trump and Biden administrations’ inner circles. This has created a class of elites who are more concerned with maintaining their connections to power than with traditional notions of merit or excellence.
A Third Wave of Autocratization
The impact of this trend is stark, as democracy has been pushed back to levels not seen since 1978, according to the 2026 V-Dem report. With 92 autocracies around the world, the number of democracies has dwindled to an all-time low. Waldner believes that the AI boom has played a significant role in this shift, creating new opportunities for autocratic leaders to consolidate power.
What this means for AI Elites
For those fortunate enough to be part of this new class of AI elites, the benefits are clear. But for those who are not, the consequences are more ominous. The rise of kowtowing elites risks creating a global power dynamic where loyalty to a leader takes precedence over traditional notions of merit or excellence. As Waldner notes, this is a worrying trend that could have far-reaching implications for the future of democracy and global power.
