No-One Escapes the Permanent Underclass
This article explores the potential for a permanent underclass created by the widespread automation of cognitive and physical labor through AI. The author argues that even the wealthy will eventually be disempowered by a system where machines outperform humans in all economic activities.
Why it matters
It highlights growing societal anxiety regarding the long-term economic and political implications of rapid AI advancement.
Shall I end this life a pauper? If AI can do all work at human level or better, what stops corporations replacing us all with AI? This is the permanent underclass meme. The idea is: within a few years, all white collar work will be automated by AI, at which point there is no social mobility. The main way people cope is, they tell themselves: if I work hard, accumulate capital, maybe join one of the big AI labs, I might secure my place in the future.
The piece presents a speculative philosophical argument about future societal structures without taking a specific partisan political stance.
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