Listing to Lex Fridmans podcast with Vejas Liulevicius I was struck at some of the similarities between the Marxist dream and our current hopes and fears of AGI.
Please note that I am not a scholar on either subject, and this post is all fun and games.
Automation and the end of human labor
Karl Marx theorized that the advancement of productive forces (automation, machinary and technology) would bring us into a post-capitalist society where human labor would decrease. In this future people would be free to pursue more creative and fulfilling actives as they were liberated from the drudgery of waged labor.
Similarly, AGI presents the pinnacle of technological advancement with the potential to automate all intellectual labor. AGI could theoretically do all forms of work, and free humans from the necessity of labor and allow for pursuit of other more leisurely pleasures.
Technological Utopias
Marx believed that history advances via predestined stages driven by development of production eventually leading to the classless society where goods are distributed according to need. That the development of sufficient production (technology) would change the structure of society.
Proponents of AGI similarly envision a utopian future where technology solves all fundamental problems of humanity by intelligently managing resources and decision-making. AGI is set to represent the next evolution of human society where governments, economy and social structures are fundamentally reshaped based on technological advancement.
Elimination of class struggle
Central to Marxism is the idea of class struggle and the eventual overthrowing of the capitalist system and establishment of a classless society.
AGI could theoretically be a tool for resolving class struggle by eliminating the ownership of labor altogether. If AGI manages all production and distribution of resources without bias, the need for labor could disappear and remove economic inequality and class distinctions.
Collective ownership of the means of production
Marx advocated for collective ownership of the means of production. In a socialist (communist) society production would be managed for the common good by a system of bureaucracy, not private actors.
If AGI operates across industries to optimize production, it could represent a system where no individual or corporation controls the productive forces. Indeed, AGI could function as a system for resource allocation for the common good.
Potential for revolution
Marx saw revolution as a mandatory step toward transforming society. The contradictions within the capitalist system would eventually lead to its downfall and the rise of a new system.
Some people propose that AGI will bring the same “revolution” in human society. Not driven by humans but by machines (hello Skynet). An AGI would destablize current power structures and lead to a collapse of both economy and government.
Religious undertones
Marxism carries several religous undertones, such as a messianic vision of the future, grand narrative of redemption through struggle and the promise of a utopia (Eden) where suffering is overcome. Similarly, the concept of AGI has developed quasi-religious undertones. All embodiments of human hope, fear and aspiration.
The creation of superhuman intelligence (Deus Ex Machina)
AGI is often imagined as a god-like entity, capable of omniscient understanding, infallible reasoning and perfect decision making. This mirrors the religious concepts of a deity. Similarly, the whole alarmist AGI movement evokes the theological idea of humans attempting to play god, by creating such a new intelligence. Much like the ancient myths of humanity aspiring to transcent natural limitations (Prometheus stealing fire from the gods).
The singularity
The concept of the technological singularity, where AGI surpasses human intelligence and fundamentally transforms society is often likened to an eschatological event. A technological apocalypse, akin to the end of days, a final judgement or rapture. AGI’s singularity represents an event that is either humanity’s salvation or destruction.
The quest for knowledge and truth
Many religious traditions emphasize the pursuit of divine wisdom, a form of ultimate truth only accessible to higher powers. AGI in its ultimate form is envisioned as a possessor of absolute truth — capable of processing all available knowledge, solving any problem and answering any question.
AGI is akin to the oracle or prophet figures who reveals hidden truths. It represents a form of intellectual salvatio where the limitations of human reasoning are overcome by something far superior.
The hope of Eden
Just as religious traditions have concepts of an ultimate paradise where suffering and hardship is erased, AGI is viewed as a gateway into a tehnological utopia. In this utopia AGI eliminates all of humanity’s problems, represents the end of human labor, and takes on all mundance and burdensome tasks. Allowing us to live in peace and harmony.
AGI as the antichrist
In the apocalyptic version of AGI it goes rogue and turns against humanity. It unleash destructive forces and brings about the end of days. AGI represents the fallen angel or demonic force that instead of salvation bring about the end of civilization. This resonates with religious stories of destruction and divine punishment.
Prophets of AGI
While somewhat of a stretch Ray Kurzweil and Elon Musk can be seen as examples of modern day prophets delivering messages of salvation or doom. Just as religous figures prophesize future events, these technologists predict the future of humanity in relation to AGI.
Faith in the unseen
Religious faith often involves a belief in a yet-to-come era or event. AGI involves belief in a future technology that has yet not materialized, resembling a religious eschatology, where followers believe in a future transformation based on faith in prophecy.
Ethical dilemmas
The development of AGI has created ethical debates that echo theological discussions about the nature of good and evil, free will and the responsibility of creators towards their creations. In a sense the EU AI Act providing guidelines for AI classification is a preemptive attempt to avoid some of the fears of a god like AGI. Providing human check and balances and ensures autonomous systems does not run wild.
Conclusion
While the above might have been some of a stretch here and there, this thought experiment shows just how we humans are drawn to patterns in narrative structures. The same themes that fascinated Karl Marx in liberation from labor, the potential of utopia are mirroed in our conversations on AGI. This is because both tap into fundamental human desires of freedom from suffering, a perfect society and the dangers of hubris. This is why both start to reveal such strong religious undertones — we have always sought salvation from the human condition.