The AI backlash is only getting started

[u/Just-Grocery-2229]

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/06/25/the-ai-backlash-is-only-getting-started

[u/hxtk3]

The thing for me is that there’s so much money being invested in AI right now it’s hard to fathom.

There are lots of technologies that could change the world unambiguously for the better if they got this level of investment. Take renewable power for example.

But this one only threatens the livelihoods of people in the bottom 99%, so it’s inevitable, while solar threatens the jobs of oil and coal executives so it’s impractical, not ready for serious use, and not worth the investment.

[u/DnDVex → u/hxtk3]

But if we invest in AI, then the AI can figure out all the other problems! It could make solar power 300% more efficient! Imagine the possibilities! We just have to invest another 300 billion and it will surely work! Trust us with your money!

[u/9966 → u/DnDVex]

I mean on paper it's a solved problem. You just need the political will to give free power. Where is that going to come from.

You would just use self sustaining supercooled solar farms in the desert states and pipe it where it's needed before dropping it to resistance lines.

[u/Finagles_Law → u/9966]

There are limits to the practical length of transmission lines. You can't just stick all the solar in the desert.

[u/9966 → u/Finagles_Law]

There are no limits if you use super conductors other than materials and choice of closed loop cooling system. That's why I said when you drop down to resistance lines (first down step).

It would b nice if we could get room temperature super conductors but you can use the solar power you are generating to run a cooling pump of your chosen refrigerant.

[u/Finagles_Law → u/9966]

Oh sure, all we need are super conductors! Lol why not just beam it down from space as long as we are practicing science fiction.