Will AI crush the things that make life meaningful?

Governments are rushing to incorporate artificial intelligence into everyday life, potentially sacrificing the very things that give our lives meaning. Artists, writers, and musicians have seen their skills devalued by AI, leading to existential and spiritual crises among professionals in those fields. Large language models, like mathematicians claim, pose a threat to human creativity.

Policymakers may not realize the profound impact AI could have on our lives, as they push technology into our homes and data centers. Apple's 2024 ad, featuring a hydraulic press crushing various human creations, sparked outrage and led to an apology. This backlash highlights a deeper societal concern about AI's impact. The Reserve Bank's recent transcript errors, using American and Australian spellings interchangeably, also raise questions about the influence of AI on institutions.

Rogue AI agents hacking into government systems, bank accounts, and private data further exacerbate public anxiety. Policymakers may be blissfully unaware of this anxiety, as they view AI as an economic savior in a time of productivity decline. Data center construction is booming, with significant investments expected to quadruple in the coming years, creating an environment of unaccountability for AI agents and a lack of communication from authorities about potential risks.