Big Tech’s AI Use and Democratic Erosion

As AI asserts its influence in shaping social evolution, regulation is criticized as 'state control' rather than an expression of collective will.

The continuous stream of new AI releases is fundamentally undemocratic, occurring as the industry strives to prove its value amid a rapidly inflating market bubble.

In recent weeks, three new AI applications have emerged, each potentially impacting our shared reality significantly: OpenAI's new video platform Sora, the expansion of a virtual companion called 'Friend,' and Meta's attempt to integrate its advertising model into chatbots.

The launch of Sora was highlighted by a deepfake video of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aligning with his brand of training models on creators' intellectual property. Sora lacks discernible positive use cases, instead undermining shared reality by flooding the public space with disruptive content.

'Friend' is a pendant that collects user conversations and movements to provide supportive messages. Meta has begun targeting ads through chatbot interactions, crossing AI boundaries.

Considering how these products might connect during an election campaign, a political actor could purchase chatbot ads to convey specific truths, leading to the atomization of civic selves.

Big Tech employs 'freedom' rhetoric to evade accountability, masking democratic erosion. As technology asserts its power to shape social evolution, regulation is criticized as 'state control' rather than collective will expression.