Friends,
The rapid, multi-trillion-dollar expansion of artificial intelligence is being driven by an oligarchic power structure that threatens public sovereignty and economic stability. Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor, authors of End Times Fascism, argue that the unchecked rise of tech conglomerates represents the final stage of a decades-long trend: the systemic outsourcing of essential public functions—and human intelligence itself—to unaccountable private entities.
The Costs of Corporate Power
The conversation highlights that the resistance to AI is fundamentally a movement against corporate concentration. Critics point to several alarming trends:
Erosion of Public Functions: From the automation of education to the involvement of tech companies in military targeting and healthcare, essential state responsibilities are being surrendered to firms that prioritize profit and ideological alignment over public welfare. Environmental and Social Impact: The construction of massive data centers is meeting bipartisan opposition across the United States. Residents are increasingly organizing to protect their communities from the environmental pollution, resource consumption, and land use demands necessitated by the AI "buildout.". Dehumanization of Services: By underfunding public institutions like schools and libraries, neoliberal policies have created a vacuum that tech companies attempt to fill with automated "solutions," such as chatbots, which replace vital human interaction and professional expertise.
The Risks of a Financial Bubble
Astra Taylor warns that the AI industry is currently fueled by a high-stakes, debt-financed frenzy that mirrors the vulnerabilities of the 2008 financial crisis.
Systemic Instability: Massive capital investment and "circular" financial deals have created a bubble that risks widespread economic fallout if—or when—it bursts. The "People-First" Alternative: Drawing lessons from the New Deal and the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors argue that society must prepare for an inevitable market correction. Rather than bailing out "too-big-to-fail" tech firms, the public should demand a transformative renovation of public services. Accountability: Proponents of this view suggest that if companies claim their technology is "transformational"—or conversely, that it risks human existence—they should face strict regulatory scrutiny rather than receiving public bailouts or being permitted to proceed with massive IPOs.
Resistance and Sovereignty
As the global landscape sees a rise in fascist-leaning political alignments, the authors emphasize that grassroots movements are forming to reclaim control. Whether it is students protesting the conditions of their schools, tenants fighting for housing, or citizens opposing electoral interference by tech platforms like Meta, these movements are united by a common desire to stay and thrive in their own communities.
The core takeaway is that the perceived inevitability of AI is a narrative manufactured by a tiny elite. By focusing on funding human-centric public infrastructure, societies can build a necessary, protective buffer against the dehumanizing reach of these technologies, ultimately reclaiming the democratic agency currently being eroded by oligarchic influence.
This is exactly why I ran for Congress in 2026 and why I'm committed to running again in 2028. We must learn from the past, especially the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, where we successfully established social safety net programs. Unlike the 2008-2009 financial crisis, when Wall Street received bailouts while Main Street suffered, we need to ensure that any future economic bubble bursting leads to comprehensive support for everyday Americans. This includes advocating for a universal basic income or Freedom Dividend, funded through a Green Marshall Plan. Together, we can create a resilient economy that prioritizes people over profits.
In Solidarity,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
