The DSR Network Siliconsciousness: Empire of AI: A Conversation with Karen Hao
5 snips
Jul 1, 2025 
Karen Hao, an acclaimed journalist for the Wall Street Journal and author of Empire of AI, dives deep into the ethics of AI in conversation with David Rothkopf. She explores how tech giants like OpenAI have morphed from nonprofits to profit-driven entities, raising concerns about power dynamics reminiscent of historical empires. The discussion touches on the challenges of reporting on AI’s life-altering implications and highlights the societal burdens and ethical dilemmas posed by AI governance, calling for greater public awareness and responsibility.
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AI as New Empire
- Silicon Valley leaders, like Sam Altman, frame AI as a civilizational-scale issue to justify immense power and capital concentration.
- This narrative enables AI companies to accumulate vast resources and shape society according to their vision.
Tech's Civilizing Mission
- New generation tech entrepreneurs, such as Altman, believe they can actively shape the world using technology.
- They adopt grand "civilizing missions" to re-establish trust and outdo backlash against previous internet giants.
VC Model Fuels AI Hype
- The venture capital model fuels hype by seeking the next unicorn and dumping vast funds into AI startups.
- This system increases pressure on entrepreneurs to promise world-changing impacts to attract investment.
