Huh I read a dystopian short story about AI micro-managing workers, constantly telling them what to do next to optimize productivity. It ends with near “perfect” dystopian wealth concentration. While in another part of the world they used AI to create a utopia.
Oh it was called Manna by Marshall Brain
The gradual takeover of jobs by AI (starting with fast food), The warehousing of the unemployed in state-controlled facilities, A techno-utopian alternative (Australia) where AI liberates rather than enslaves.
Wow, I remember finding that story 20-odd years ago but could never remember the title or author. Pretty good short story IIRC, and more relevant than ever, it’s themes have been on my mind on and off quite a bit these past few years.
I couldn’t remember it either. I described it to deepseek in order to find it. Ironically it mistakenly thought
the short story you’re thinking of is almost certainly “Nanny” by Cory Doctorow. It’s part of his collection Radicalized (published in 2019)".
If you find it, let me know. I think I might have been conned by deepseek.
spoiler
Why the Mix-Up?
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Both works critique technology-driven capitalism, but Doctorow’s focus is distinct:
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Radicalized targets corporate control via IoT devices, insurance cruelty, and policing 612.
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Manna explores algorithmic worker management leading to dystopian/utopian outcomes.
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I incorrectly merged these narratives due to overlapping themes of technological oppression. My apologies for the oversight.
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This is what I told my bosses when AI first showed up and they called a meeting to discussed how to leverage it.
It’s not going to replace me, it’s going to replace you.
I actually think an AI would do a better job at running corporations than a human would. Even if it’s just an LLM. And I don’t mean in a pro-corpo way.
I have this sneaking suspicion that the company I work for is already ran by an LLM. The CEO is obviously using ChatGPT for everything.
Executives everywhere are. ChatGPT is near perfectly suited for handling a very large portion of executive level tasks.
But how will it blame you for its mistakes?
/s
Really nice and funny marketing campaign.
Wait what ? I really hope this is real
It’s just as real at the OilWell app.
spoiler
In other words it is not real. But made by an ad company.
Damn it
Dude looks like the Delamain ai.
They use the wrong color though, purple is good. They should be Red.
