Much of the communication around AI takeover seems to rely on the assumption that AI will develop better technology than humans. They will then leverage this technology to conquer humanity much like how European technologies allowed a relatively small number of Spaniards to conquer the Aztecs.

But this just... isn't correct. European technology wasn't that impressive (on the battlefield). This idea overstates how much technological superiority you need to pull off a takeover.

The Aztec Empire was toppled by a few thousand goobers an ocean away from home. Cortés had basically no military command experience, his men weren't soldiers (most were treasure hunters with guns), it was largely a self-funded private venture, and he was ignoring orders to stop from the governor of Cuba. Cortés gets wrecked in a fair fight with the Aztecs 100 times out of 100.

He started with only 16 horses and around a dozen cannons. His men often ditched their steel plate for cloth armor better suited to the hot environment. Guns were good but not that good. Cortés didn't beat the Aztecs just because he had better technology. He beat them because he was novel.

This makes everything so, so much worse. [...]

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Outline:

(07:06) So What About AI

(10:19) The Takeaways

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First published:
October 9th, 2026

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/e6w8DuiW44kkDCSgG/agi-as-an-infinite-digital-spain

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

“AGI as an Infinite Digital Spain” by Bearly Legible

LessWrong (30+ Karma)

“AGI as an Infinite Digital Spain” by Bearly Legible