> most dangerous innovation in this regard is advances in brain scanning

What terrifies me more than the idea of brain scanning that works is the (IMO more likely) deployment of "brain scanning" that doesn't work (but is used anyway) and creating a 21st century witch hunt.

AI is very impressive, but people are getting so used to it performing magic that they believe it can do anything while preserving the veneer of objectivity that algorithms earned in the pre-ML days.

It won't matter if the "brain scanning" actually works or not. Examining the history and effectiveness of polygraphs is enlightening -- even now, polygraphs are used as though they are effective, and in a different light, are an example of an intimidation tactic.

LLMs have led to significant advancements in brain scanning. [0]

[0]https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1354ju1/scientists...

> Soon the elite will have amassed enough power through technology that they could put down any revolution.

As long as the elite still need other lower-class humans, e.g. chauffeurs, nannies and cooks, or security, the revolution can still get to them.

If the chaos so many rich preppers are gearing for comes to pass - their wealth won't protect them. As this[0] article points out: in an apocalypse, there will be nothing stopping their armed ex-special-forces security guards from taking over their New Zealand compounds and throwing them out - or worse. Their status as elites is preserved by the very institutions they are undermining.

0. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prep...

> long as the elite still need other lower-class humans, e.g. chauffeurs, nannies and cooks, or security

Isn’t this the point of the fears of AI and automation? A truly sovereign individual, singular, against all others.

If AI and Automation make it so things like nutrition, traveling, security, and shelter don't require humans than wouldn't that mean it's easier to provide these basics to everyone?

Power tends to concentrate. As democracy had to force itself into existence, so will horizontal AI. The natural condition is automated dictatorship.

The people who own the automation are not interested in sharing. If the choice was between providing basics for others or letting them die in the streets, they'll choose the latter. It's a choice that plays out everyday.