Big Tech is betting big on artificial intelligence. America’s largest technology companies are spending tens of billions of dollars on AI in 2025, with even more to come in 2026. This is unprecedented in human history.
Meta, for one, is doubling down on its AI Superintelligence team, developing frontier AI models that would exceed human intelligence − perhaps exponentially so. Building on recent advancements, Mark Zuckerberg’s company is projected to spend another $100 billion on AI alone next year, and that is just one company. Across Silicon Valley, we’re talking about hundreds of billions of dollars being spent on AI within the next year.
Big Tech’s appetite for technologies that match and surpass human intelligence are all too clear. What’s less clear is their impact on actual human beings − us.
The problems with social media could look like child’s play
In Tennessee and across America, there is serious cause for alarm. Without effective safeguards on AI, the people of Tennessee should tread carefully when it comes to giving up power to Silicon Valley, which has repeatedly failed the general public − from social media-linked anxiety and depression to COVID-era speech restrictions and, of course, political bias.
AI could make that all look like child’s play. Whether it is labor market upheaval or national security threats from China and Russia, or a risk that is still unknown in AI’s early days, the people of Tennessee need to make sure that Silicon Valley is developing secure AI with everyday citizens in mind, not just Big Tech’s bottom line.
Layoffs are up 140 percent as AI-related job cuts pick up steam. According to The Wall Street Journal, AI is wrecking the entry-level job prospects of Gen Zers and other young Americans, making it more difficult for them to start careers and find meaning in their lives. And they are not alone: Even higher-level positions, such as management consultants, are threatened by machines that can outright replace human activity.
Remember: We are only in 2025. What happens when AI achieves artificial general intelligence (human-level AGI), now expected by 2030? What happens if AI becomes super-intelligent, far exceeding human intelligence?
How will we earn income when AI takes our jobs?
It is not hyperbolic to fear a world where AI dictates our lives, while human beings are relegated to collecting a Universal Basic Income (UBI). OpenAI founder Sam Altman has already hinted at the possibility. Many in Silicon Valley have made it a mission to turn us all into UBI collectors as AI reigns supreme, and they in turn (try to) control AI.
We already live in a world where journalists are interviewing AI avatars of deceased gun violence victims to advocate for gun control. We already live in a world where 80 percent of Gen Zers claim they would marry an AI companion. We already live in a world where tech billionaires are trying to turn AI into a deity for us all to worship.
In a world of AI necromancy, where AI is reviving dead people to appear in court, it is perhaps normal to feel a sense of dread and fear. Then there are America’s adversaries, who are weaponizing AI against members of Congress and other U.S. citizens as we speak. Earlier this year, China and Russia formed an alliance to turn AI against us, and no one is safe.
It’s not a partisan issue: We need safeguards against AI
This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It has nothing to do with partisan politics. There is a reason why people like Barack Obama and Steve Bannon agree on the risks of AI: If we are not careful, AI will be a white-collar job killer and potentially much worse than that.
We are at a critical time in history. The advanced AI revolution is here, and we are not ready. We are already late when it comes to securing AI with effective safeguards.
The best time to secure AI was yesterday. The next best is today, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, and Tennessee’s entire congressional delegation should be on high alert. Tomorrow may be too late.