From Foreign Policy · Priya Satia · · 1m 40s
AI Isn’t a Revolution, Yet
U.S. public can shape AI’s spread like 18th-century Britons controlled steam power.
In brief
U.S. public can shape AI’s spread like 18th-century Britons controlled steam power. American public can delay AI’s revolutionary impact by resisting corporate claims of unstoppable change. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Historical parallel
The Industrial Revolution was initially seen as a slow process rather than a revolution.
British resistance
Working-class britons slowed steam power adoption through riots, machine-breaking, and unions.
Luddites' purpose
Luddites targeted exploitative factory systems, not power looms themselves.
Historical insight
E. P. Thompson described factory owners as engaging in immoral practices that harmed workers.
AI CEOs' claim
AI company CEOs claim their technology is too revolutionary to be regulated.
Historical comparison
Economist Daron Acemoglu compares current ai development to industrial revolution’s 80-year timeline.
Government role
U.s. government has been passive in enforcing ai product safety regulations.
Public agency
American taxpayers fund government contracts that influence ai development.
European action
European union passed laws to slow ai rollout by prohibiting unsafe systems.
Public resistance
Americans can organize to demand ai safety through unions and public pressure.
Historical outcome
British resistance improved workers’ living standards and created democratic society ideals.
AI safety
Openai paused model release due to security concerns after public pressure.
Public decision
American public will determine whether ai becomes a revolutionary force.
Government contracts
U.s. government military contracts accelerated ai development without safety oversight.
Luddite legacy
Luddites created democratic society ideals through resistance to industrialization.
Public action
Americans can demand ai safety through pension shifts and coalition building.
What to remember
American public can delay AI’s revolutionary impact by resisting corporate claims of unstoppable change.
