Widespread socio-economic inequalities fuel a cycle of poverty, conflicts, and exploitation of natural resources, resulting in devastating consequences such as deforestation and loss of traditional livelihoods. The pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, amplifying signs of economic slowdown and creating instability in financial markets. Meanwhile, the climate crisis threatens to push the planet towards a "Greenhouse Earth," with serious consequences for human life and the environment. These interconnected phenomena challenge traditional worldviews and demand a multidimensional and collaborative response from all stakeholders at all levels. It is essential to adopt new behavior models based on cooperation and alignment between individual and collective actions to effectively address the global challenges posed by these critical processes.ù
We have reached a critical "tipping point" where the interdependencies between individual and collective actors, interconnected economic-production processes, and the spread of smart devices are creating a physical-digital environment where positive and negative feedback amplify impulses. However, it remains to be seen whether technology can solve the global systemic crisis.
The "tipping point" of AI refers to the moment when AI transitions from a slower, gradual development phase to a rapid expansion and dissemination phase, leading to significant and irreversible changes in society, the economy, and daily life. This critical point is characterized by a sudden change in the dynamics of AI dissemination, making it increasingly pervasive and influential across various sectors and aspects of human life, irreversibly altering how we live, interact, work, and learn. The impacts on daily life stemming from the proliferation of AI, despite its relatively recent spread, are already evident and perceptible in various areas such as social, political, economic, energy, and many others.
Impact on the social system:
- Workforce reorientation: the adoption of AI is redefining job roles and the structure of the labor market. This shift could lead to the disappearance of certain roles and the creation of others. However, the process will not be uniform over time or in the distribution of new job opportunities. Those who lose their jobs may not necessarily be the ones to find employment in the new roles, and the replacement of workers will occur disjointedly.
- Wealth distribution inequality: AI, along with other technologies, is accelerating the global economic gap. This means that a small portion of the population controls a large share of global wealth. This displacement phenomenon contributes to the consolidation of a wealthier class of individuals, while others fall behind.
- Disparities in access and use of technology: concerns arise regarding equitable technology participation. Elderly individuals may struggle to access and use new technologies, while young people may utilize them differently with varying levels of proficiency. This amplifies existing digital divides and raises questions about fairness in accessing opportunities provided by emerging technologies.
- Threat to cultural diversity: technological advancement can jeopardize cultural diversity, leading to the homogenization of local identities. Disparities in job distribution, wealth, and access to technology may contribute to the disappearance of local cultures in favor of more dominant ones, threatening global cultural diversity.
Impacts on the political system:
- Violation of fundamental rights: the increasing use of AI in surveillance and social control raises serious concerns about the violation of individuals' fundamental rights, such as privacy and personal freedom. Constant monitoring and analysis of personal data can compromise privacy and jeopardize individual freedom.
- Shift towards autocratic forms of government: democracies are progressively evolving towards increasingly autocratic and populist forms of government. AI facilitates this transformation through the implementation of increasingly sophisticated profiles and the use of algorithms to influence public opinion and political decisions. This phenomenon raises questions about the future of democratic institutions and the safeguarding of fundamental democratic principles.
Impact on the economic system:
- Concentration of economic power: in recent years, we have witnessed a growing concentration of economic power in the hands of a few large companies. However, this trend goes beyond mere profit: many of these businesses are oriented towards capital accumulation rather than immediate profit generation. This new model, often referred to as neo-capitalism, leads to a massive accumulation of capital as its main purpose, reminiscent of the early days of capitalism but in a completely different context.
- Control over technology development: The ability to invest in new technologies is increasingly limited to a few key players, such as large companies or even entire countries. These entities have the power to influence the type of development and use of emerging technologies, including AI. Consequently, a regime of tight oligopoly is emerging, where few actors control the future of technologies and their applications.
Impact on the energy system:
- Energy resource absorption: the significant energy and water consumption of various AI applications are underestimated. These resources are crucial for the operation of servers processing vast amounts of data. Recent studies have revealed that just training models like GPT-3 required massive amounts of water, up to 700,000 liters, and electricity, consuming 1,287 MWh, emitting over 550 tons of equivalent carbon dioxide. This raises serious concerns about the need to ensure privileged access to energy sources, even at the expense of collective energy and water needs, which will become increasingly critical in the future.
- Resource and infrastructure displacement: there is a monopolization of primary resources necessary for the development of AI-related technologies, such as rare earth metals, and to ensure the availability of vital infrastructure like semiconductors. This results in competition for access to these strategic resources, which could lead to imbalances in supply systems and increased dependence on a limited number of actors.
The future of AI has sparked extensive debate, from apocalyptic fears of humanity's demise to optimistic visions of AI solving major human issues. Amid these extremes lie numerous possibilities. Previously seen as the realm of experts, AI's development affects us all, reshaping how we interact, communicate, and perceive reality. Its profound and irreversible impact on daily life carries significant social, economic, and political implications. Understanding these effects is crucial for guiding a positive evolution where AI fosters sustainable progress and global equity, contingent on human choices, not just technological advancement.