Book

The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality

2025

Synopsis

As AI takes hold across the planet and wealthy nations seek to position themselves as global leaders of this new technology, the gap is widening between those who benefit from it and those who are subjugated by it. As Rachel Adams shows in this hard-hitting book, growing inequality is the single biggest threat to the transformative potential of AI. Not only is AI built on an unequal global system of power, it stands poised to entrench existing inequities, further consolidating a new age of empire.

AI’s impact on inequality will not be experienced in poorer countries only: it will be felt everywhere. The effects will be seen in intensified international migration as opportunities become increasingly concentrated in wealthier nations; in heightened political instability and populist politics; and in climate-related disasters caused by an industry blind to its environmental impact across supply chains.

We need to act now to address these issues. Only if the current inequitable trajectory of AI is halted, the incentives changed and the production and use of AI decentralized from wealthier nations will AI be able to deliver on its promise to build a better world for all.

Suggested Reading

Carbon Shock: A Tale of Risk and Calculus on the Front Lines of the Disrupted Global Economy

Carbon Shock: A Tale of Risk and Calculus on the Front Lines of the Disrupted Global Economy by Mark Schapiro is an incisive exploration of the economic consequences of climate change and the emerging global mechanisms that attempt to price carbon emissions. Through a compelling narrative that inter...

Disaster Nation: How Federal Overreach and Local Failures Shape America’s Crisis Response

What if the greatest threat to American resilience isn’t the next hurricane, earthquake, or cyberattack—but our own disaster response system? In Disaster Nation, public safety strategist and resilience expert Dr. David J. Alexander delivers a searing indictment of how the United States manages cris...

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you accept our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.