In this opinion column, author and technology commentator Cory Doctorow argues that many wealthy technology leaders and policymakers view artificial intelligence as a way to reduce dependence on human workers and social relationships.

Drawing on the idea that coordinating with other people is often difficult because individuals have their own goals and priorities, Doctorow contends that societies have traditionally relied on institutions, laws, and cooperation rather than coercion to solve collective problems.He claims that some billionaires instead seek technological solutions that minimize the need to negotiate with other people at all.

Doctorow points to examples such as highly automated warehouses, where he argues that human workers are forced to adapt to machine-driven systems, and social media platforms that increasingly experiment with AI-generated interactions.

He suggests that some technology executives envision a future in which AI agents perform tasks currently handled by people, making human participation less necessary.The article also connects AI adoption to immigration and demographic challenges in aging countries.Doctorow argues that many developed nations rely on migrant labor to sustain economic growth and essential services.

According to his view, politicians who face pressure to restrict immigration may embrace AI as a way to avoid confronting labor shortages while satisfying anti-immigration voters.

Finally, he criticizes visions of a highly automated economy in which AI systems generate most productive output and citizens depend on state-supported income distributed through technology platforms.

Using Sam Altman as an example, Doctorow argues that such scenarios risk concentrating economic power in the hands of AI owners while reducing the independence and bargaining power of ordinary people.The piece is presented as a commentary and reflects the author's opinions about technology, labor, migration, and economic power.