The Rise of AI: High-Tech Feudalism and Societal Impact

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An impactful art piece portrays Open AI as a sinking ship during a protest outside the OpenAI DevDay 2026 in San Francisco, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding AI technology. For years, Hollywood has fueled fears of robots taking over, but reality poses a different threat. The possibility of humans remaining in command of advanced technology might reassure some, yet it brings a different risk: the era of AI could usher in a form of high-tech feudalism, where individuals rent access to crucial tools without owning them.

Concerns about technology’s impact are not unfounded. Social media provides a precedent, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting a spike in teen depression from 2012 to 2023, coinciding with algorithm-driven platforms. Leaked Meta documents from 2021 confirmed that executives knew their design choices harmed young users’ mental health, yet engagement loops continued for profit. This trade-off of sanity for likes and shares may worsen as AI evolves.

AI’s synthetic realities and personalized companions risk further monopolizing human cognition. Young people can spend their days engaging with bots that replace human interactions, making users dependent on proprietary software for routine tasks. As AI advances, human intelligence declines, while corporations thrive financially. OpenAI boasts a valuation of $852 billion. Microsoft invested over $13 billion to access its models. Companies like Anthropic, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon spend billions on infrastructure to dominate the market. These corporations prioritize shareholder value, often ignoring staff concerns.

Historical patterns show corporations pursuing short-term gains while imposing societal costs. The Master Settlement Agreement in 1998 saw tobacco companies profiting from addictive products, while the 2008 financial crisis revealed banks prioritizing profits over homes lost. The tech industry asks for trust in internal ethics committees, yet experts inside the field express doubts. A handful of companies might soon control technologies capable of performing human tasks more efficiently.

The rapid progress in AI hints at a future where these systems excel beyond human capabilities. The era of the small startup wanes as AI’s complex demands require costly data centers, making entry difficult. A few tech executives hold control over the digital infrastructure, filtering every task through their servers. This concentration of power surpasses historical precedents. Unlike past revolutions, today’s tech giants possess unparalleled influence over human knowledge and decision-making.

No need for apocalyptic robots; the dystopian future involves compliant consumers paying for advice from digital companions. This scenario paints a chilling picture of the direction society could take in the age of AI.

Author John Mac Ghlionn investigates culture, society, and technology’s impact on everyday life.