The ‘dangerous’ promise of a techno-utopian future

The rise of a new company called Stargate, backed by tech giants like OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank, has sparked conversations about the future of AI and its impact on society. With an initial investment of $100 billion and plans to create 100,000 jobs, Stargate aims to build the infrastructure needed to power the next generation of AI.

However, critics are concerned about the environmental impact of data centers, which consume vast amounts of energy and water. The International Energy Agency warns that the electricity consumption from data centers in the AI and cryptocurrency sector could double by 2026, equivalent to the electricity consumption of Japan.

Philosopher and historian Emile P. Torres is a vocal critic of the techno-utopian vision promoted by tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. Torres argues that the ideology of TESCREAL, which combines transhumanism and longtermism, poses existential risks to humanity. This vision of a post-human future, where humans merge with technology and colonize the universe, has been likened to a religious belief system.

The backbone of TESCREALism is transhumanism, a movement that seeks to enhance human capabilities through technology. Longtermism, on the other hand, envisions a future where post-humans maximize the total amount of value in the universe by colonizing space and living as digital beings.

Despite sounding like a sci-fi novel, these ideologies are gaining traction among powerful individuals in tech and government. Elon Musk has been dubbed co-president with Donald Trump by Democrats, while Peter Thiel has a close relationship with U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is involved in building Stargate.

Torres warns that these ideologies could shape the future for generations to come, with potentially harmful consequences. The best chance of stopping TESCREALists, according to Torres, may come from their own missteps or disasters caused by tech companies, such as mass unemployment due to AI automation.

In conclusion, the push towards a techno-utopian future raises important questions about the ethical and societal implications of AI development. As these powerful individuals shape the world, it’s crucial for society to critically examine the impact of these ideologies on our collective future.