The New Empire of AI

“Incisive and alarming, The New Empire of AI lays bare the human and environmental costs of our AI-driven world. Adams deftly weaves together history, economics and ethics to reveal the troubling parallels between AI’s rise and historical patterns of exploitation. Essential reading for anyone concerned with technology’s role in shaping our global inequities and future justice.”Chen Qiufan, author of AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future“This book captures the profound impact of AI on society, particularly for the global majority outside the West. Adams puts our current discontent in the context of our histories and shared hopes for the future. It’s a powerful reminder that the time for change was yesterday; now is a close second!”Vukosi Marivate, University of Pretoria“A must read, if you want to understand the implications of AI for the Global South!”Urvashi Aneja, Founding Director of Digital Futures Lab“Ultimately, Adams paints a troubling picture: AI is not the great equaliser, but rather a new empire in the making – one that could lock poorer societies into cycles of exploitation and poverty.”The Parliament Magazine

Rachel Adams is the CEO and founder of the Global Center on AI Governance. She lives in Cape Town with her husband and their four children.