Unfortunately, AI Might Be Turning Us Into Peasants

Techno-feudalism posits that dominant technology platforms have transitioned from traditional capitalism to a system of rent extraction, mirroring medieval feudal structures. In this model, digital infrastructure—such as proprietary algorithms, server farms, and massive user bases—replaces land as the primary bottleneck of production. Platforms like Amazon, Apple, and Google leverage network effects to impose significant commissions, often ranging from 30% to 45%, while shifting consumer behavior from ownership to subscription-based access. This concentration of digital capital, bolstered by AI, threatens to diminish labor's bargaining power and stifle competitive innovation. Unlike historical feudalism, where serfs were legally bound to land, modern users retain the choice to opt out, though the lack of viable alternatives often renders this freedom illusory. Addressing this requires robust antitrust frameworks and data ownership regulations to prevent the permanent entrenchment of a new technobility.