A Shift in Perspective on AI

Recently, though the exact day is lost on us, it feels like AIs just appeared out of nowhere. It’s as if they have emerged, fully formed, as a kind of technological miracle.

Or at least, that’s how it appears.

The context around technology often outweighs the technology itself.

However, there’s much more to the story of AI’s origins and the reactions it has provoked. Both are probably stranger than we care to admit, especially as our collective memories of recent events fade.

AIs have been part of our narrative for quite some time. Back in the mid-20th century, when imagination outpaced our ability to remember both humans and machines, creatives spun tales of supercomputers and extraordinary intelligence. Scientists and engineers were on a similar wavelength, especially post-World War II. If you look back, you might, for example, recall the insights of Vannevar Bush from the Atomic Age—he was a mentor to Claude from Anthropic—but honestly, what’s surprising isn’t that AI has arrived. It’s more surprising how long it took.

So what’s driving this overwhelming sense of change around AI?

Not too long ago, people in America were generally enthusiastic about adopting new technologies. Sure, we might have been a bit naive regarding social media, not realizing just how much it would invade our private lives. Still, when social media laid bare some uncomfortable truths about our collective character, the reaction didn’t swing to outright outrage. Were we struggling? Sure, but were we shocked? Not really.

Even today, despite clear evidence that smartphones can lead to unhealthy habits, many of us still consider our device and app usage manageable. We believe that if we make conscientious choices, the downsides are worth it.

But AI? That feels distinctly different. For countless folks pushing back against it, AI isn’t just another gadget. Its power and influence loom larger, and there’s a deep-seated sense of injustice involved. Smartphones might dull our thinking, but critics argue that even a little AI can upend society at breakneck speed.

History We’d Rather Forget

People on the left often frame the issue in terms of justice, drawing from what Marx termed our “species being.” Conversely, right-wing critics label it as a spiritual malaise or a theft of our essence. Although the language differs slightly, the essence remains the same. AI seemingly presents a distinct peril for humanity, making discussions about how to deal with it feel one-dimensional.

If we bring other complicating factors into the conversation—issues beyond just AI and its architects—critics might accuse us of sidestepping the issue or offering excuses for deeper, systemic failures. It’s tempting to focus solely on the fear surrounding AI.

But, I honestly think the root concern lies beyond the technology itself and this ongoing debate.

Consider how we’ve adjusted our lives with smartphones and social media. These technologies gained traction around the time of the 2008 financial crisis. Through various adaptive monetary strategies, we managed to avoid a crisis level of poverty and kept technological progress moving along familiar paths.

It’s valid that many Americans shifted their online habits during the economic stagnation that followed the crisis. But the fallout was nowhere near as severe as what we experienced with the pandemic lockdown.

The last couple of decades have seen America’s foundational elements take a turn for the worse. Governance overlooked rampant issues like corruption and mismanagement, which have only compounded the country’s challenges. Still, the populist pushback remained somewhat subdued, as anyone involved in movements like Occupy Wall Street or those rallying for Bernie Sanders would likely recognize.

That is, until Trump entered the picture.

Even during Trump’s initial term, the feeling of impending doom wasn’t widespread. Yes, the middle class felt the pinch; wages weren’t increasing much; things were challenging all around. Yet, these issues stemmed from deeply rooted power dynamics, not unlike the problems Ross Perot once articulated in his populist messaging.

The lockdown phase shattered that temporary equilibrium. It unveiled many people’s struggles to adapt to the new normal. Economic stagnation has taken us into precarious territory, leaving many feeling disoriented, as if they’d rather forget it entirely.

We faced rising inflation, shuttered churches, a soaring cost of living, heightened barriers to upward mobility, and dwindling savings. Building a middle-class life now seems almost impossible within a typical work year.

It’s quite the catastrophe.

And as this unfolded, robust AI consistently made headlines.

A Rebirth of Concerns

To truly grasp the pushback against AI, we need to prioritize understanding the context surrounding it above the technology itself.

For millions across the political spectrum, the traditional American Dream was essentially shattered before any real thoughts about AI could formulate. As the nation grapples with issues like mental health struggles, financial despair, economic frailty, and social disintegration—especially when AI leaders themselves predict layoffs and potential job losses—it all feels like another nail in the coffin.

Many people seem to feel that the institutions and habits that allowed them to thrive in the world of AI were dismantled long ago. AI feels unfamiliar and somewhat menacing, especially as it appears thrust upon us in a time of unparalleled vulnerability, when hope feels out of reach.

AI has emerged as a convenient scapegoat. It allows individuals to channel their frustrations toward a single target, rather than facing the larger challenges of their downward mobility and feelings of coercion.

And therein lies the risk.

Simply eliminating AI won’t revive our spiritual or societal foundations. In fact, things have deteriorated so considerably that we may end up needing to depend on machines more than ever.

A financial overhaul is critical. We need to dismantle the governance systems that have drained us. There is a pressing need to transition from being an overextended superpower to a sustainable, functional society in order to navigate this geopolitical quagmire.

If we can meet these urgent needs, perhaps there would be space to meaningfully engage with AI. However, we require those solutions and are rapidly running out of options or time—especially if we wish to unify enough to give Americans a chance to reconnect with their spiritual and social roots.

The right path, though slow, should be pursued the human way.

Labeling AI as the root of all evil in our society will only muddle and hinder that necessary journey. If we elevate AI to the status of a savior, we risk steering ourselves into uncharted waters fraught with danger.

The notion that AI could heal the country’s wounds is just a fantasy and won’t restore American life to something worth living. The technology does open doors to new possibilities, yet it offers much less than our alternative strategies.

In the end, it might lead us to a constructive way to integrate AI into our lives that most of us can ultimately accept.