AI: stealing human knowledge for private profit, and its effects on inequality and human learning

Jose Ramos talks with Jacques about the massive invasion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into all areas of our daily lives and systems and the profound implications of this takeover.As Jose points out, AI steals from our common human knowledge selling it back to us for private profit, rapidly and hugely increasing already existing inequality.Even so, the 'intelligence' in 'Artificial Intelligence' is not intelligence at all. It is a misnomer, and human intelligence is quite a different thing - it is experiential, embodied, relational and responsive to the world on an ongoing basis. We need to guard against the negative effects of AI on human learning and understanding and on 'live' human intelligence itself.More broadly, we need to protect the commons of human knowledge and keep it in public hands, while increasing the transparency and oversight of how AI systems are operating.Doctorow, Cory (2025) Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got WQorse and What To Do About It London: VersoDoctorow, Cory (2026) The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI London: VersoHao, Karen (2025) Empire of AI: Inside the reckless race for total domination London: Allen LaneYudkowsky, E & Soares, N (2025) If anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: ther case against superintelligent AI  London: The Bodley Head