‘You can’t make billions without hurting people’: Cory Doctorow on Elon Musk, the AI bubble and bosses’ cruel fantasies
Author Cory Doctorow, known for coining 'enshittification,' argues in his new book that AI will fail to deliver on its core promises while simultaneously serving as a tool for managerial control over workers — a dynamic he calls the 'reverse centaur,' where humans are subordinated to algorithmic systems rather than empowered by them.
Why this matters: When algorithms set the terms of human labor — dictating pace, monitoring output, and penalizing deviation — workers surrender autonomy with little recourse. This structural shift raises broader questions about dignity, surveillance in the workplace, and who ultimately bears the costs of automated oversight.
Who should care: AI governance · Lawyers · Administrators · General readers · Policy · Privacy officers
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