The Dawn of an AI-Driven World: What Happens When Consumerism Fades Away?
Exploring the Implications of Advanced AI and Robotics on Industries, Elites, and Consumers
As engineers, machine learning scientists, and tech innovators continue to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, a future where these technologies can scale independently without human intervention seems increasingly plausible. This article delves into the potential consequences of such a reality, particularly regarding the fate of consumerism and its impact on various stakeholders.
The Advent of Fully Automated AI Systems
If AI can understand humans as well as humans do and robotics reach a level of self-replication and self-correction, we could soon witness a world where machines can handle any task assigned to them. A chatbot responding to questions, an NLP model writing HTML code, or an AI system generating movie content with deep fake actors might not be far-fetched. With scalable AI and robots capable of creating all of Netflix without human input, one might wonder why consumers would even be needed in such a landscape.
Impending Changes Across Industries
AI is rapidly scaling thanks to the vast amounts of data available online. Software developers, UX designers, and graphics artists have all contributed to this growth, knowingly or unknowingly, as their work can now be used to train AI models. As AI begins to surpass human capabilities, passing the Bar Exam or solving protein folding problems, it could disrupt every industry imaginable.
The Decline of Consumerism
In a world where humans are not working, the question arises as to where their income would come from (Metaverse work or Universal Basic Income?). Without a steady income, how would people consume products? This shift could lead to a significant inequality gap between those still involved in specialized jobs or holding stakes in businesses and property, and those deemed unnecessary by the new system. It remains uncertain whether governments will provide for those left behind.
Elites and the New Order
While elites own the products and benefit from the scalability provided by AI and robotics in exchange for paychecks or stock options, this advantage might not last indefinitely. Eventually, companies could be bought out, and individuals may receive a final payout. Without further income or ownership, the average person might eventually lose all their possessions, leaving property in the hands of governments, corporations, and a few powerful individuals.
Governance and Resource Distribution
Should governance remain strong, it might be able to distribute resources to non-working citizens. Otherwise, a select few could control everything due to scalable production capabilities. These individuals could continue generating the goods they need to survive, potentially leading to commerce only among the elite. This scenario might echo historical examples like slave plantations or feudal systems, where AI and robots could take on the roles of serfs or slaves.
Consumerism Today and Tomorrow
As we examine the potential decline of consumerism in an AI-driven world, it is essential to consider whether the US currently practices consumerism with the poorest countries globally or if economic separation already exists. Additionally, with rising inequality both globally and in the US, understanding how nations like Norway address these issues through measures such as Gini indexes could provide valuable insights.
As AI and robotics continue to transform our world at an unprecedented pace, it is crucial to contemplate the long-term implications of these advancements on consumerism and the broader societal fabric. By exploring these possibilities today, we can better prepare for the challenges and opportunities that tomorrow’s AI-driven landscape might bring.
References:
ML replacing coders:
https://www.allthingsdistributed.com/2021/05/devops-powered-by-machine-learning.html
NLP replacing Sales, customer service:
