A good friend, largely apolitical, worries about Artificial Intelligence. He sees AI taking more and more decision making and jobs away from people as a bad thing. Originally, he feared the revolution would impact his grandson. Now he wonders if we are at risk.
Plus, “I guess they never watched sci-fi movies.”
From 1970’s Colossus: The Forbin Project, through the Terminator films thence to milder fare, such as Her, the trend line is clear. AI always creates more problems than it fixes.
The reality is equally chilling.
On December 11, 2025 President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order precluding any state from restricting Artificial Intelligence beyond the rules the federal government allows. The goal is to have a “minimally burdensome national policy network for AI,” according to the White House announcement. To enforce that stand within a month a “Litigation Task Force” will be operating in the Department of Justice. [sic] Nothing is to stand in the way of the AI Revolution.
At the singing ceremony Trump’s ‘crypto and AI czar’ David Sacks (himself rich from AI investments) stood with tech billionaires and Senator Ted “Cancun” Cruz (R – TX).
Remember, Nvidia – probably the biggest player in AI – became a five trillion dollar company this year. [CNBC, 10/29/25]
All across the country states and towns beg for data centers, the heart of AI. That’s knowing that the centers provide very few jobs, consume tremendous amounts of electricity and consume vast amounts of fresh water as well as demanding tax subsidies so that trillion dollar companies can make more money for their billionaire owners.
Close to home, Festus, Missouri rushed to annex land so that (mostly behind closed doors) the city leadership could entice a major data center. [Leader Publications & KSDK 12/25] Again, taxpayers subsidize rich people. And, elected officials think that’s a great idea.
Deep down I also harbor my friend’s dark fear, that the AI revolution will make casualties of us all.
Three quick points:
- AI is already impacting workers. Oh it’s not just call center jobs replaced by chatbots but a fundamental change in the core of Information Technology. AI will design, program and operate data systems. That means millions of fewer jobs – and happier billionaire owners.
- How do you derail a train headed towards a washed-out bridge? With trillions of dollars already committed, big business can’t afford to ask big, expensive questions about whether what we gain is worth what we lose.
- AI demands data. Every byte it can get. Yet, Americans have no fundamental right to privacy. The government and private industry can capture every transaction, categorize every quirk and mash it all together into a digital you which can be sold. Or, used to have you arrested.
While taking care of my late friend George and later my mom I purchased a lot of incontinence products. Guess what I keep getting ads – and coupons – for on my screens?
I also recently learned that people beyond my distribution list read (and often object to) my views. AI makes it much, much easier to track us enemies of the current regime.
Welcome to the new world.
Glenn Koenen