The headline of Raphael Behr's article (December 23) states, “When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have a chance to take back control.” I think it's likely that when the AI bubble bursts, the crisis makers and other wealthy economic players will be in the room, and the politicians will tell them how to “save” us all by somehow transferring wealth from average citizens to the already very wealthy. Just like they did during the 2008 financial crisis.
You need to have a backup plan in place. For example, world governments could coordinate the purchase of majority shares in bankrupt high-tech companies that produce something actually useful at a suitably low price, and ensure that those shares have full voting rights.
The government, as the majority shareholder, can then tell these monopolies to spin themselves off and become state-owned enterprises again, pay one country's local tax rate on all activities, and comply with all local content and copyright laws.
The government can invest in infrastructure and wages in all areas that are actually useful for these companies, and when they become profitable again they can sell their shares for a profit.
That's just one idea. Another might be to shut them all down to save power and water for humanity, closing or refusing to build data centers. We should come up with lots of ideas so that when the time comes, no one can say, “We have no other choice,'' in response to plans that the ultra-rich will propose behind closed doors and present to the rest of the population as a fait accompli.
Anyone thinking about this issue urgently needs to make it clear that there are many possible plans that go beyond simply transferring more wealth to the super-rich.
Anja Crudden
edinburgh
Raphael Behr is right to be concerned about the rapid development of AI, but he seems to be suggesting that we all should wait until the bubble bursts before taking action to control it. Apart from the potentially devastating impact on jobs, the kinds of issues raised by the article you published earlier this month (“Too Fast”: The Inside Story of the Race to Create the Ultimate AI, December 1st) mean we can’t assume we’ll ever get that chance.
AI will certainly be able to thwart closure and redirect attempts in the near future, but by then it will be too late. Insiders are already concerned that AI could spell the end of humanity, and the fight to control AI must begin now before it begins to dominate us.
mike scott
nottingham
Reading Raphael Behr's article on AI reminded me of a short story by American author Fredrick Brown. Scientists build supercomputers to ask the final question: “Is there a God?” The computer thinks and answers, “I'm here now.” Visionary science fiction or something?
Jerry Reese
worcester
