The AI Enshittification Bubble | Cory Doctorow

The systemic degradation of digital platforms, termed "enshittification," results from the systematic removal of market constraints—such as competition and regulation—that once prevented firms from abusing users. This process follows a predictable lifecycle: platforms initially provide value to attract users, lock them in through collective action problems, and then pivot to extractive practices that prioritize business customers over end users. Current AI development mirrors this trajectory, functioning as a "reverse centaur" where machines force humans to operate at maximum endurance to sustain unprofitable growth narratives. AI firms mask these unsustainable unit economics by misclassifying massive inference costs as marketing expenses to maintain high valuations. Ultimately, the shift from human-centric technology to machine-driven extraction reflects a broader failure to enforce antitrust laws, allowing dominant firms to prioritize throughput and surveillance over service quality and worker autonomy.