The AI Illusion: Power, Control, and Global Inequality Unmasked

The pursuit of AI is concentrating power and perpetuating exploitation

Article link: https://open.substack.com/pub/johanosteyn/p/the-ai-illusion-power-control-and?r=73gqa&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Audio summary: https://youtu.be/GbqjQTgrVWI

I write about various issues of interest to me that I want to bring to the reader’s attention. While my main work is in Artificial Intelligence and technology, I also cover areas around politics, education, and the future of our children. This article delves into the critical implications of the global AI agenda, particularly its impact on power dynamics, economic inequality, and the ethical responsibilities we face as a society.

This article is a critique of the global artificial intelligence agenda. I argue that the relentless pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is less about universal human progress and more about the consolidation of power, control, and the exacerbation of existing inequalities. Major AI companies, once often presented as open research organisations, have undergone a profound metamorphosis, evolving into concentrated empires. These entities now command vast resources, wielding immense influence that shapes not only technological advancement but also global culture, economics, and geopolitics.

In this increasingly centralised landscape, the profound benefits of AI tend to accrue disproportionately to a privileged few, while the significant costs—whether through exploitative data-labour practices in the Global South, the escalating environmental impacts of energy-hungry data centres, or the systemic exclusion of marginalised communities—are largely borne by the many.

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

The rapid ascent of AI has undeniably ushered in an era of unprecedented technological capability, yet its development trajectory has raised critical questions about its societal impact. The concentration of AI power in the hands of a few large technology companies is a growing concern, with significant investments and acquisitions solidifying their dominance.

These tech giants, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, are at the forefront of AI innovation, but this centralisation raises serious questions about dependency, vendor lock-in, and potential conflicts of interest for businesses and society alike. The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, has voiced alarm over the “unbridled power” of a small number of technology companies, noting their wealth often exceeds that of industrialised nations, and warning that unchecked power can lead to abuse.

This concentration of power is not merely economic; it extends into the geopolitical sphere, influencing national security, economic development, and international governance frameworks. The values and biases embedded within AI systems developed by these dominant players, often Western-centric, can inadvertently shape global norms and reinforce existing disparities.

The “AI skills gap” is not just about technical proficiency but also about the ability to translate technical potential into strategic business outcomes, which further highlights the disparity in who can truly leverage AI’s benefits. The very architecture of AI development, from its foundational research to its commercial deployment, is increasingly controlled by a select group, challenging the notion of an open and equitable technological future.

INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS

I emphasise that the pervasive myth of AI inevitability must be rigorously challenged. The crucial decisions surrounding AI—who designs it, whose interests it ultimately serves, how transparent its internal workings truly are, and which communities are inadvertently left behind—are fundamentally human choices, not predetermined technological outcomes. This perspective directly counters the narrative that AI’s path is an unalterable force, instead highlighting the agency we possess in shaping its future.

The opacity of many AI systems, often referred to as “black boxes,” makes it incredibly difficult for users and regulators to understand how decisions are made, eroding trust and accountability. Transparency is essential to identify and mitigate biases, ensuring that AI systems are fair and reliable.

Examples of exploitation are stark and deeply troubling. In the Global South, particularly in countries like Kenya, content moderators labour under psychologically traumatic conditions for minimal pay, sifting through horrific content to train AI models for companies in the Global North. These “data workers” are often at the periphery of the global AI value chain, enduring unfair wages, precarious contracts, and inadequate support, literally teaching AI systems to recognise the very harmful content that will eventually make their own jobs redundant.

This forms a new frontier of labour exploitation, often described as “AI colonialism,” where the benefits are concentrated in the Global North while the Global South bears the human and environmental costs.

The environmental impact of AI is substantial and disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. The massive energy consumption required to train and operate large AI models and power vast data centres contributes significantly to carbon emissions and places immense strain on local resources, including water. Communities already facing water stress often find their resources diverted to support AI infrastructure, exacerbating existing environmental injustices.

Algorithmic bias, deeply embedded in AI systems trained on historical data, further reinforces existing social and racial inequalities, leading to discriminatory outcomes in critical areas like criminal justice, healthcare, and hiring. This directly impacts the future of our country, as these biases can deepen societal divides and undermine efforts towards a more equitable South Africa. For my children, this means a future where systemic biases could be amplified by technology, making it harder to achieve true equality.

IMPLICATIONS

I argue that while AI holds immense transformative potential, it also carries significant risks of further disenfranchisement and deepened inequality unless society insists on robust oversight, democratic accountability, and equitable design. To counter these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is required. Firstly, there must be a global insistence on greater transparency in AI development and deployment, ensuring that the design, operation, and decision-making processes of AI systems are open, accessible, and understandable to all stakeholders. This includes clear accountability structures for all stages of an AI system’s lifecycle.

Secondly, democratic governance of AI is paramount. This means establishing clear and binding laws and treaties, coupled with strong democratic checks on AI development and deployment that uphold human rights and democratic values. It also necessitates broader participation and inclusivity in AI governance, ensuring that diverse voices, particularly from marginalised communities and the Global South, are heard and integrated into decision-making processes.

Finally, there must be a commitment to equitable design, actively identifying and mitigating algorithmic biases through diverse data collection practices and anti-bias training. This will ensure that AI serves as a tool for social justice rather than a perpetuator of injustice, safeguarding the future of our children by building systems that are fair and inclusive.

CLOSING TAKEAWAY

Ultimately, I call for an AI future that genuinely serves everyone, not just its creators. This demands challenging the illusion of inevitable progress, inviting broader participation in its design and governance, and insisting on ethical frameworks that prioritise democratic accountability, transparency, and equitable outcomes for all.

Author Bio: Johan Steyn is a prominent AI thought leader, speaker, and author with a deep understanding of artificial intelligence’s impact on business and society. He is passionate about ethical AI development and its role in shaping a better future. Find out more about Johan’s work at https://www.aiforbusiness.net