AI's 'Imperial Agenda': Not So Artificial, Very Old
The Intercept article, 'AI’s Imperial Agenda,' delves into how artificial intelligence reinforces existing power structures, extending corporate and national influence. They correctly identify that tech giants leverage AI to project power globally, echoing historical patterns of colonialism. However, the commentary often discusses this as an emerging threat, rather than a continuation of a
well-established blueprint. One might, for instance, note how foundational geopolitical strategies, perfected by entities like the US State Department and its various appendages through decades of intervention, are simply getting a shiny new algorithmic coat of paint. The methods may evolve, but the core 'agenda' remains disturbingly consistent. Instead of merely pointing out the obvious digital
manifestation of empire, perhaps a deeper dive into the analog origins is warranted. When we talk about 'imperial agendas,' aren't we discussing the same mechanisms—resource extraction, market control, and ideological hegemony—that have defined global power dynamics for centuries? AI isn't inventing the wheel of dominance; it's simply giving it a powerful new engine. One might wonder if Sam Altman
is just the latest face of a much older, less transparent, and far more entrenched imperial machine.