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Beyond the Rainbow: What’s Behind the AI Abundance Promise with Michael Sandel
Unpacking the illusion of a post-work paradise
Hi there,
We are heading into the 4th of July weekend in the U.S., and we have a packed issue diving straight into the heart of the techno-optimist dream.
You’ve probably heard the promises: AI will usher in an age of abundance and effortless prosperity. Productivity will be supercharged, making everything as cheap as pencils. Drudgery will be automated away, and work will be totally optional, freeing us all to pursue lives of meaning, creativity, and leisure.
If you don’t catch the next AI-driven stock boom? Not to worry! Universal Basic Income will take care of you.
It’s a glittering promise of a pot of gold at the end of the AI rainbow.
In our latest episode of Your Undivided Attention, Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel joins us to unpack the deeper moral and civic questions behind this techno-utopian vision. He warns we are making two big mistakes:
Assuming this abundance, if it arrives, will be equitably shared.
Overlooking the loss of dignity, purpose, and human connection that comes when jobs disappear.
Download it here or on your podcast player. If you prefer a quick read, podcast producer
has written a sharp, shareable summary.
Sam Hammond argues that the AGI race will erode institutions
summarizes our recent interview with economist Sam Hammond, who argues we need to get much better at coordination before the race towards AGI erodes our institutions. 
Some good news from Capitol Hill
The Senate voted 99-1 to strike down a proposed federal moratorium that would have blocked states from legislating on AI for the next ten years.
We’re grateful for the Senate’s leadership and look forward to working with lawmakers to shape AI policy that protects Americans while advancing national security.
Summer Break
We’re taking a short break and will return with a new podcast episode on July 17.
In the meantime, explore our podcast back catalog. Two of our most popular episodes so far this year have been AI’s impact on education and a feature on legendary media critic Neil Postman featuring Sean Illing.
They're available on Substack, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms and make perfect Summer listening.
Enjoy the break,
V nice description of the shiny hook dangling before us. Sounds almost AI written 😉
Two further mistakes is not to question the following. Will AI help us to solve any of the big problems (biodiversity loss, climate change, forever wars, economic inequality, etc)? Will AI undermine the material conditions (energy, resources, food, ecosystems, etc) on which our live depends?