Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

#1765 AI Capitalism Will Not Deliver an AI Utopia

Jan 17, 2026
This discussion dives into the risks of AI under capitalism, highlighting how rapid profit motives can sideline safety. It critiques OpenAI's billionaire backing and the unsustainable energy demands of AI. The conversation reveals the rise of deepfakes, especially their disproportionate impact on women. It also questions the true economic value delivered by current AI technologies. With a focus on surveillance capitalism, the show warns that data monetization may overshadow genuine technological advancement.
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INSIGHT

Concentration Of AI's Inputs Creates Systemic Risk

  • OpenAI consolidated huge resources: data, infrastructure, and capital into a single profit-driven project.
  • That concentration creates systemic risks because one actor now influences power, energy, identity, and labor markets.
INSIGHT

Vertical Investing Ties Profits To Problems

  • Altman invests across the AI supply chain, from data sources to energy and chips, aligning profits with both building and protecting AI.
  • That vertical integration means he profits from both AI infrastructure and the harms it creates.
INSIGHT

Circular Financing Inflates AI Valuations

  • AI's market surge is propped by circular financing and vendor deals that obscure true demand.
  • Those finance structures mimic past bubbles and can inflate valuations without real revenue.
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