AI, Far-Left Policies, and Control

AI and Political Transformation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic, with the potential to transform the world economically, socially, politically, and defensively. The possibility that this technology may lead to a metamorphosis of everything is a catalyst for more far-leftist control.

Universal Basic Income

The likeliest starting point will be more calls for Universal Basic Income (UBI), a program where the government guarantees every American some form of ongoing payment. Despite direct and indirect pilots of UBI being a failure, a potential "crisis" will render that fact moot. Politicians may promise something for "free" instead of focusing on retraining, using the prospect of AI software and hardware taking American jobs. Politicians can offer something at someone else’s expense while creating more dependence on the government, which is a far-leftist dream.

The government doesn’t produce anything productive, and any money that it has is either taken via taxes or "printed," which devalues our purchasing power. The government is in no position to create new entitlement programs with an existing massive debt and deficit problem. Taking money from workers, laundering it through the government, and redistributing it to those who are not working isn’t a productive use of capital and is not good for morale.

AI Ownership and Societal Impact

There will likely be a communist-leaning conversation about any AI that takes jobs and who should have ownership over that AI. Government ownership or societal sharing of the AI will be seized upon by those who look to push socialistic or communistic ideals if AI drives a deeper rift between the "haves" and the "have-nots."

Potential for Tyranny

If attack drones and robots create societal chaos, people may be told to lock down or give up their freedoms until protocols are sorted out. We should be imagining and planning for those scenarios today and not let reactive crises lead to an erosion of our freedoms. Protecting our individual rights in the digital sphere is critical, particularly as AI companies lobby to help shape regulation.

AI and Leftist Ideals

A Substack raised a related concern, noting that just as the left captured the culture via the mainstream media and Hollywood, a similar thing is happening with AI. If a left-leaning worldview is embedded in the coding and the output and if something isn’t done to counter that, leftist ideals will be at the foundational core of everything, from education to culture to science.

We need balance, and we cannot wait. If we let AI become a catalyst to move us permanently to the far left, or if the underpinnings of the AI do that inherently and foundationally, we will give up our checks, balances, and freedoms for the future.