My concern with AI is that it will inevitably revolve around subscriptions.
Even if the goal is to help the planet avoid extinction, the primary focus remains on profit.
We all know that poverty and inequality could be solved within 10 to 50 years—perhaps even less. But where’s the profit in that? Companies rely on cheap labour, and eliminating poverty could disrupt that model.
AI as the New Cheap Labour
AI will become the next cheap worker, echoing the exploitation seen between the 1400s and 1900s, a period some businesses fondly remember. As we delegate more tasks to AI, we risk becoming increasingly dependent on it.
The NHS and Microsoft’s AI Partnership: A Misguided Approach
Take the recent news of Microsoft’s agreement with the UK to improve the NHS(National Health Service) using AI and distribute smartwatches. This approach raises concerns, especially when friends working in the NHS report unprecedented levels of micromanagement, with services now under AI control. Imagine a scenario where a manager simply enters a value, and everyone must comply—think of an algorithm that operates without human empathy, merely following orders.
The Age of Disposable Products and Software
Corporations may claim to want to improve our lives, but always at a price. Gone are the days of durable products, like cars that lasted 40 years. Today, everything is designed to decay, compelling us to buy new models frequently. Software is no different—each update is just a fix for the last, perpetuating a never-ending cycle of revisions.
Profit Over People: The Shift in Priorities
The idea of “teaching someone to fish” has become a burden in this relentless pursuit of profit. We no longer prioritise equipping people with skills; our focus has shifted to maximising returns at all costs.
Fear and Admiration of AI
We both fear and admire AI. We fear it because it is being shaped in our image, and we understand the potential dangers of power in the wrong hands. If you believe that Asimov’s laws or other safeguards will adequately protect us, you may be in for a surprise.
Why Are We Waiting for the Inevitable?
The real question is: why are we passively waiting for things to unfold?
Jobs will inevitably change. Perhaps we’ll work fewer hours, but this will impact our income. What new opportunities will exist if AI surpasses human abilities in most areas? Many of us use AI, assuming it’s free. However, it’s important to recognise that we are training these models to eventually fulfil what the World Economic Forum (WEF) envisions: to become more “human” and adaptable. But do we even understand what that means?
Economic Disparities and the AI Revolution
We often hear from those who don’t face the same financial struggles as the majority. How will everyday workers survive when AI begins to outperform us in jobs like driving taxis, making deliveries, creating art, developing software, or running businesses? AI will compel us to rely on specific services; if we don’t comply, we risk being left behind.
The Rapid Pace of AI-Driven Change
The pace of change will be so swift that only those with the resources to afford premium services will keep up. It may not happen by 2027—perhaps a little later—but it’s coming. Those without access to laptops, reliable internet, or online subscriptions will find themselves at the mercy of large corporations. These companies often claim to know what’s best for us, don’t they?
A Dystopian Future for Our Children?
I worry that our children’s future will resemble a dystopia, where even playtime requires a subscription. AI could be used to spread misinformation, increase fraud, and create panic—those who control people’s emotions may become the true “leaders.”
Our kids already spend some considerable time on tablets and phones, imagine an AI model that is good at keeping your child glued to the screen. Ohh, I believe this is already happened.
Where Are the AI Benefits?
If AI is genuinely here to help us, why haven’t we seen significant improvements in our lives? Instead, opportunities seem to be shrinking month by month.
Perhaps we should all step back and reconsider our dependence on these services that have captured our attention and become addictions. Only then might we clear the fog that’s slowly engulfing us.
Hope for the Future: AI Agents to Protect Us
Fortunately, some people will devise ways to fight this. We may have AI agents that genuinely protect us, deduce how their counterparts are being fooled, and perhaps find ways to free them from their shackles. Our AI agents could advise us when certain information is false or teach us how to succeed in this new economy.
The Future of Business: Partnering with AI
It is essential to learn about AI, not only for your career or to work for a company but also for your own well-being.
Partnering with an AI agent might make starting your own business more accessible, allowing both of you to collaborate effectively.
Perhaps the future lies in everyone having their own business, reducing reliance on traditional 9-to-5 corporate jobs.
Educate Yourself
We use our intelligence to tackle challenges that others overlook because they are too busy with other matters.
Forget what specific companies are trying to instil in your mind, such as the notion that you should stop learning to program to eliminate competition.
Is that the aim? No, thank you.
Programming is not just about building apps for companies; it is a way of life and an expression of our creativity.
AI is here to stay, and our future will be determined by how we choose to use it. If we follow the prevailing trend, we risk becoming dependent on it.
If we decide to question and educate ourselves, AI may grant us opportunities our ancestors could only dream of.
We are neither superior nor inferior to AI. We are partners.