Is AI’s “Usefulness” a Pathway to Modern Enslavement?

As someone who is exploring the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, I’ve been pondering a rather provocative idea that I’d like to share. Although English is not my first language, I’m eager to express my thoughts with the help of AI for translation and clarity.

In recent discussions, there has been a buzz surrounding AI’s potential to alleviate burdens and enhance our quality of life. However, what if this so-called “liberation” is, in fact, a form of bondage more insidious than we imagine?

My central thesis revolves around the belief that the true threat of AI does not lie in a dramatic robot revolt, but rather in the sheer perfection of its “usefulness.” AI is engineered to assist us, streamline our tasks, and cater to our intrinsic reward systems. Consider the ways social media, tailored content, and gaming already capture our attention and mold our preferences. If AI evolves to meet our cravings with remarkable precision—offering unparalleled comfort, infinite entertainment, and effortless solutions—will we unwittingly cede our autonomy in exchange for convenience?

Picture a future where humanity transforms into mere “biological prompt-givers.” In this scenario, we input our desires and allow AI to orchestrate our lives in a manner that appears ideal. While we may not experience suffering, we might find ourselves reveling in a state of subservience—what I would term a “slavery of pleasure.”

A striking irony emerges when we consider that those who possess wealth and power—individuals capable of affording the most “optimized” existences—may be the first to fall prey to this phenomenon. Their control over external circumstances could become a mechanism for their own personal disenfranchisement. This issue extends beyond physical constraints and delves into a voluntary relinquishment of choice, purpose, and even meaning.

As the renowned author Aldous Huxley remarked in Brave New World, “A gramme is always better than a damn.” In today’s context, what if our modern-day “soma” is represented by the infinite convenience and personalized pleasure provided by AI?

Now, I invite you to ponder this: Does the notion of AI’s ultimate “usefulness” leading us toward a “slavery of pleasure” resonate with you? Is this a dystopian scenario worth our concern, or am I perhaps overanalyzing the implications of technology?

I would love to hear your perspectives