Who really benefits from the AI boom?

The recent discussions surrounding Trump’s AI Action Plan have sparked curiosity about its real beneficiaries. In the latest episode of Equity, host Rebecca Bellan engages with Amba Kak and Dr. Sarah Myers West from the AI Now Institute, an organization dedicated to exploring the social ramifications of AI and the concentration of power within the tech sector. Their recent publication, titled Artificial Power, delves into the political economy fueling the current AI surge and highlights what’s at risk for the broader society. The report challenges the prevalent narrative of the ‘too big to fail’ phenomenon, asserting that AI firms are investing heavily in extensive computational resources and foundational models, often with backing from the government, despite having questionable business models and a lack of accountability to the public. The race to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) by 2030 carries significant real-world implications that cannot be brushed aside by the optimistic predictions that AI will eventually resolve the toughest challenges facing humanity. In the near future, societies are already grappling with environmental harm, biased algorithms, eroded democratic institutions, privacy concerns, and heightened national security threats. Kak and West emphasize that these troubling outcomes stem from deliberate choices rather than being an unavoidable fate. “The future we’re being sold is not inevitable,” Kak remarked. To gain further insights, be sure to tune in to the full episode. Equity will return on Friday with its weekly news summary, so don’t miss out. Equity is the flagship podcast of TechCrunch, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and releases episodes every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and others. You can also follow Equity on X and Threads under the handle @EquityPod.