"Empire of AI" by Karen Hao is a deeply reported book that provides an intimate look at OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Hao, a longtime AI insider and investigative journalist, reveals the company's rise and its impact on the world. The book explores how OpenAI, initially founded as a nonprofit with a focus on safety, has morphed into a company driven by profit and ambition.
Hao highlights the enormous resources required to power AI systems, including high-end chips, massive data sets, and human labor. This has led to a new age of empire, where only a handful of globally scaled companies can dominate the field. The book also sheds light on the exploitation of data laborers in the Global South, who work long hours for low wages to "clean up" data for AI models.
Additionally, Hao explores the environmental impact of AI, including massive energy and water consumption. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at OpenAI's journey and the people controlling this technology, including the sudden firing and triumphant return of CEO Sam Altman.
"Empire of AI" serves as a warning about the potential risks and consequences of AI development. Hao argues that the public should focus less on AI's potential sentience and more on its implications for labor, the environment, and society as a whole. The book has received praise from notable figures, who recommend it for its essential insights into the AI industry and its potential impact on democracy.
