At the heart of today’s tech debates is Karen Hao on the Empire of AI, AGI evangelists, and the cost of belief, a conversation that digs into the promises and perils of artificial general intelligence. Hao, a journalist and bestselling author, unpacks how OpenAI and its vision of AGI have reshaped not just the AI industry but global power structures.
Image Credits:Karen Hao
Her insights highlight an uncomfortable truth: behind the dream of “benefiting all humanity” lies an empire built on massive influence, unchecked growth, and deeply ideological faith in AGI’s potential.
The Ideology Behind AI’s Empire
Every empire is fueled by belief. For European colonial powers, it was Christianity as both justification and control. For the modern AI empire, it’s the vision of AGI — an autonomous system imagined to surpass humans in economically valuable work.
Karen Hao explains that OpenAI has become the chief evangelist of this ideology, spreading it with such fervor that it has redefined how AI research, investment, and competition unfold globally.
Karen Hao’s Take on OpenAI’s Power
In Karen Hao on the Empire of AI, AGI evangelists, and the cost of belief, she draws a striking comparison: OpenAI functions more like a nation-state than a startup. Its influence extends beyond technology into economics, politics, and even global geopolitics.
According to Hao, “They’re terraforming the Earth. They’re rewiring our geopolitics, all of our lives. And so you can only describe it as an empire.”
This framing raises urgent questions about accountability. Who holds the power when private companies drive narratives that shape policy and human destiny?
The Cost of Belief in AGI
Belief in AGI isn’t harmless optimism. Hao’s reporting reveals how blind faith in AI’s future has led to real-world costs:
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Resource Strain – Training large models consumes massive amounts of energy and water.
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Data Exploitation – Vast oceans of scraped data raise questions about privacy and consent.
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Unchecked Releases – Companies often push out untested systems, exposing users to unforeseen risks.
These costs show that the empire of AI is not just metaphorical — it extracts tangible resources and reshapes society.
Why Karen Hao’s Perspective Matters
Karen Hao has long been a leading voice on the intersection of AI, power, and ethics. Her latest work emphasizes that AGI evangelists are not simply researchers or entrepreneurs — they’re ideological actors shaping humanity’s technological future.
By analyzing AI through the lens of empire, Hao encourages readers to question the narratives that justify rapid expansion and ask who truly benefits from the so-called pursuit of AGI.
The Bigger Conversation on AI and Power
The story of AI isn’t just about algorithms or breakthroughs. It’s about control, belief, and influence. Karen Hao on the Empire of AI, AGI evangelists, and the cost of belief reminds us that technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It operates within systems of power — systems that can either empower humanity or consolidate control in the hands of a few.
As governments, industries, and individuals grapple with AI’s future, Hao’s insights act as a wake-up call to critically examine the narratives we’re told about progress, innovation, and the supposed inevitability of AGI.
