AI Could Create a Permanent Underclass—What That Means for You

As artificial intelligence advances, some worry it could lead to a world with a permanent underclass—people who are permanently excluded from wealth and power. A recent essay tries to break down what that actually means by outlining different scenarios. The author defines the 'upper class' as those who control AI and its infrastructure, while the 'underclass' is everyone else. The scenarios range from horrific (elites exterminate or abandon the rest) to hopeful (everyone gets a universal basic income or even lives in luxury). The goal is to help people discuss these futures more clearly.

The essay identifies key dimensions that shape these scenarios: living conditions (from death to luxury) and agency (who controls AI and how much freedom the underclass has). For example, in one scenario, the underclass is abandoned to fend for themselves; in another, they get a modest basic income but remain poor. The author notes that today, elites need ordinary people for labor and as a political counterbalance, but AI could change that. The taxonomy is meant to illustrate possibilities, not predict which will happen.

Why should you care? Because these scenarios aren't just science fiction—they hint at real choices we might face as AI takes over more work. If you're not part of the group that owns or controls AI, your future could depend on which scenario unfolds. Will you have a say in how AI is governed? Will you have access to its benefits? The essay argues that without clear language, we can't even have a productive conversation about these stakes.

The catch is that this is one person's thought experiment, not a rigorous study. The categories overlap and the taxonomy isn't perfect. But it's a starting point for thinking about how AI could reshape society—and what we might do to steer toward better outcomes.