There is this notion that we can reach “radical abundance” through AI. Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, articulated this vision in an interview with Wired: AI will enhance productivity, solve complex problems, and ultimately deliver radical abundance to humanity.

I see an immediate challenge, which Stephen Levy, Wired’s editor at large pointed out in the interview: we already possess abundance — resources exist in sufficient quantities to meet human needs. The core issue isn't scarcity but distribution.

Zero-Sum

Radical or not abundance is less a technological challenge and more a social one. When confronted with this observation, Hassabis's response was telling: "People don't want to make sacrifices." This reluctance to sacrifice, and the belief in a zero-sum world, represents the fundamental challenge to achieving true abundance. We currently operate on the assumption that one person's gain necessitates another's loss. This mindset perpetuates greed and inequality, even if unintentional and for self preservation.

10x More Happiness

Instead strategic sacrifices can yield greater collective returns. A 5,000-square-foot home doesn't provide ten times the happiness of a 500-square-foot home. By choosing moderate  living spaces, we create the and opportunity for others in our community. It’s not only a matter of material redistribution but effects our wellbeing directly. We know that community connections and friendships are the strongest predictor of longevity. We stand to gain far more than we give up.

Reordering the Equation

We must first abandon zero-sum thinking and make conscious sacrifices. Only then can we realize and unlock the abundance that already exists around us. AI may enhance our capabilities, but it cannot resolve our attitudes towards cooperation and sharing.

Radical abundance isn't waiting for us at the end of technological progress. It exists now, requiring only our willingness to recognize and share it.

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Is there an irony to using AI to create an image of abundance for an article that says AI is not the path to getting there – or is it to the point?