Urgent: New Book Reveals AI Isn’t About Replacing Humans – It’s About Controlling Them
Rome, Italy – A groundbreaking new book is sending ripples through the world of critical theory and tech analysis. Philosopher of Science Matteo Pasquinelli’s “In the Eye of the Algorithm: History and Criticism of Artificial Intelligence” (Carocci, 2024) isn’t the optimistic tale of technological progress you might expect. Instead, it’s a stark dismantling of the narrative surrounding artificial intelligence, arguing it’s less about innovation and more about solidifying existing power structures.
The Myth of Total Automation: A Sales Pitch for Control
Pasquinelli’s work, recently awarded the prestigious Deutscher Memorial Prize 2024, argues that the hype surrounding AI is largely a carefully constructed propaganda campaign. He contends that the promise of “total automation” serves a very specific purpose: boosting sales of expensive tech, inflating stock values, and concentrating power in the hands of a few tech giants – a modern “oligarchy,” as he puts it, even referencing the influence of figures like Donald Trump.
But this isn’t a simple Luddite rejection of technology. Pasquinelli, deeply rooted in Marxist thought, reframes the discussion. He doesn’t see AI as a replacement for workers, but as a displacement of them into a new, increasingly authoritarian social order. The book challenges the idea that AI springs from a quest to understand intelligence itself. Instead, it argues that “artificial intelligence” emerged from the automation of measuring and controlling work and social behaviors.
From Psychometry to Predictive Policing: The Real Roots of AI
Forget the image of robots gaining sentience. Pasquinelli’s analysis reveals that artificial neural networks are, at their core, sophisticated tools for coding and quantifying “general intelligence” – a concept Marx termed the “general intellect” – using statistical methods. Machine learning, therefore, isn’t magic; it’s the automation of metrics used to assess cognitive, social, and work skills, then organizing society around those assessments.
This has far-reaching implications. The book details how algorithmic control manifests not just in robotic factories, but in crucial areas like social welfare distribution, immigration management, and even performance evaluation within companies. It’s a system that leverages collective knowledge while simultaneously denying its creators the benefits, funneling profits to those who own the means of production.
The ‘Automation-Work Theory’ and the Path to Resistance
Pasquinelli doesn’t offer a dystopian surrender. He proposes an “automation-work theory” coupled with a call for “social autonomy.” The key, he argues, lies in empowering the “overall worker” of the digital age – the collective force that fuels this system – to develop a new subjectivity, a political organization, and the tools to disconnect from the network of control. This means building a “collective counter-intelligence” to challenge the “extractivism of knowledge” and advocating for the collectivization of platforms as public services, breaking the monopolies on data.
He acknowledges the scale of the challenge, but emphasizes that understanding the problem is the first step towards addressing it. “Without work, everything stops,” Pasquinelli writes, highlighting the fundamental power that lies within the workforce. His book isn’t just a critique; it’s a call to arms – a plea to see through the illusion of benevolent AI and reclaim control over our digital future.
Pasquinelli’s work offers a vital perspective in an era increasingly defined by algorithmic decision-making. It’s a reminder that technology isn’t neutral; it’s a reflection of the power structures that create it. And understanding those structures is crucial for building a more equitable and just future. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our world, “In the Eye of the Algorithm” is essential reading. Stay tuned to archyde.com for ongoing coverage of the intersection of technology, politics, and society.
