
On October 17, 2016, I gave this talk titled The Future of Capitalism at the Ramakrishna
Mission Institute of Culture in Kolkata, India. RKM, for the uninitiated, is India’s largest
NGO. It was founded by one of the greatest social entrepreneurs the world has ever
known – a Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda, who in 1893, delivered a message of
universal religion at the Chicago Parliament of the World’s Religions. In these days of
intolerance and bigotry, it was an honor for me to stand on the grounds of an institution
that shaped my own egalitarian worldview since childhood.
This course delves deep into the imminent era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on our world. In this thought-provoking exploration, we will dissect the current and forthcoming implications of AI's pervasive integration into our society.
From the onset, we acknowledge the inevitability of the AI age, already subtly influencing our lives but poised for exponential growth in the next few decades. This course confronts the looming questions about the fundamental restructuring of our societal norms and systems.
We'll venture into uncharted territories, discussing the potential overhaul of economic structures, probing whether capitalism, as we know it, will persist or evolve into alternative models. Moreover, we'll challenge conventional ideologies, contemplating the consequences and intricacies of these alternatives.
Central to our discourse is the transformation of humanity itself. As AI augments our capabilities, we'll navigate the implications of this symbiosis, unraveling the complex ethical, societal, and existential implications.
Embracing a forward-thinking approach, we'll engage in thought experiments, exploring diverse scenarios and use cases that illustrate the ripple effects of these monumental changes.
Additionally, we'll ponder the concept of a post-work society, analyzing its impact on human identity and the fabric of our daily lives, where work no longer defines our existence.
This interdisciplinary journey amalgamates philosophy, economics, and technology, fostering an environment for critical thinking and rigorous exploration of these weighty subjects.
Join us on this intellectually stimulating expedition into the heart of the AI age, encouraging you to contemplate, question, and innovate in the face of unprecedented societal shifts. Let's get started!