"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect"
- Mark Twain
We all are constantly bombarded and inundated with "the latest and greatest" development(s) that we rarely pause and reflect on what all of this really means and how to ground ourselves the best we can. Having watched this interview 3+ months ago and rewatched it last night gave me a completely different perspective on where we're heading... Karen perhaps put it the best "AGI religion"!
Please do yourself a favour and set some time to watch the whole interview and then read Karen's book "Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI" - you'll thank me later. đ TL;DR(W)
In this interview, Karen Hao reveals how major Silicon Valley AI companies operate with cult-like leadership, unchecked power, and exploitative practices. She discusses OpenAIâs transformation from a non-profit mission to a money-driven monopoly, the environmental costs of data centers, and the global Southâs harsh labor conditions supporting these tech giants. The video draws strong parallels between todayâs AI firms and historical empiresâhighlighting their adverse impacts on democracy, workers, and communities as they extract resources and influence policy for unchecked expansion. AIâs rapid growth offers innovation but mirrors old colonial and monopolistic patternsâ risking democracy and community welfare.
Get informed and take actionâsupport independent experts, demand transparency, and ensure AI development serves society, not just big tech. Power to the people! âđ»