Nick Srnicek examines the economic forces shaping the rise of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI is not a disruptive innovation but a tool for consolidating power among Big Tech companies. He categorizes the strategies employed by major players like Amazon, OpenAI, Google, and Meta to dominate the AI value chain, including infrastructure control, frontier development, conglomeration, and open-source models. Srnicek argues that these strategies aim to entrench corporate power, often at the expense of broader societal benefits.
The book also delves into the geopolitical implications of AI dominance, contrasting the innovation-centric approach of the United States with China’s diffusion strategy. Srnicek warns that the unchecked expansion of AI could exacerbate global inequalities and lead to a new form of techno-imperialism. He calls for a re-evaluation of AI’s role in society, advocating for policies that ensure its benefits are more equitably distributed.