Big AI Threatens National Sovereignty and Human Agency

In Brief:

Centralized AI monopolies, termed "Big AI," pose significant threats to national sovereignty, human agency, and the social contract.

The article argues for the need to build and govern 'sovereign AI' locally to protect national and individual interests.

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Big AI: A Socio-Economic Rubicon Crossing

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Big AI and the Erosion of Sovereignty

Centralized AI monopolies, known as "Big AI," pose a severe threat to the sovereignty of nation-states. Unlike the relatively inert cloud platforms, Big AI models can deeply influence cultural, linguistic, and social norms, leading to significant loss of control over economic, political, and military outcomes.
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Without local AI sovereignty, countries risk losing their digital sovereignty and national integrity. To safeguard their interests on the global stage, every nation must develop, host, and govern its own 'sovereign AI.'

A Disrupted Social Contract

Big AI's stance that all internet content is 'free' for their model training, without compensating creators, disrupts the social contract.

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The notion that AI can replace certain jobs, deemed unnecessary by Big AI, is dangerously simplistic. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is often suggested as a remedy, but it is not a panacea.

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The recent economic assistance during lockdowns and its side effects, such as 'meme stock mania,' highlight the complexities involved.

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Generative AI has the potential to reshape the knowledge and service worker economies, creating a divide between those who leverage AI to enhance their skills and those who become redundant.
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Human Agency Under Threat agency, the capacity to make choices and influence one's life, is crucial for societal well-being. Big AI, however, risks eroding this agency by becoming a substitute for social relationships and personal tasks. Young people, in particular, are at risk as they increasingly rely on AI for homework, social interactions, and even mentorship.

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The convenience offered by Big AI can undermine the development of resilience, purpose, and self-esteem, essential for adulthood. While past tools have enhanced human agency, Big AI threatens to displace it.

Future Implications

Big AI sets the stage for a digital Leviathan, challenging the endurance of the social contract and human agency. The solution lies in rejecting centralized AI oligarchies and committing to a future where AI remains a tool, not a master.

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Nations and individuals must take responsibility to shape AI technologies, ensuring they support rather than supplant human agency.