GoKawiilHarvard historian Jill Lepore warns AI elites are building an 'artificial state'
On the New York Times podcast 'Hard Fork,' Harvard historian Jill Lepore argues that tech leaders are constructing what she calls an 'artificial state,' where corporations and machines increasingly make decisions once reserved for democratic government. She says this shift bypasses public consent, noting that ordinary people generally don't want more AI or data centers imposed on their lives. Lepore explores the concept further in her forthcoming book, 'The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State.'
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Lepore's argument frames AI expansion not just as a technological trend but as a political transformation, where corporate infrastructure quietly replaces public institutions and accountability. Her warning highlights growing tension between tech industry ambitions and democratic oversight, especially as AI systems mediate everyday interactions once handled by human or governmental processes.
- Lepore describes an 'artificial state' where corporations, not elected governments, control decision-making infrastructure.
- She argues tech elites' push for AI expansion often ignores public preference and democratic consent.
- Her upcoming book, 'The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State,' expands on how digital infrastructure is reshaping governance.
Jill Lepore, "These Truths: A History of the United States — If Lepore's warning about an "artificial state" replacing constitutional democracy grabbed you, her sweeping one-volume history of the United States is the natural deep dive. She traces how American self-government was built — and repeatedly tested — which is exactly the context behind her podcast argument. A great pick for anyone wanting more than a podcast clip's worth of her thinking.
See Jill Lepore, "These Truths: A History of the United States on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: futurism.com — Frank Landymore, 2026-08-25
Published there as: “Harvard Professor Warns That AI Execs Are Pushing World Toward Factory Farming of Humans”
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