This book examines the ideological foundations of AI and explores how the platform economy drives new forms of capitalist accumulation through feudal rent-seeking strategies. It outlines the wide-ranging impacts of AI on the work ecosystem, the organisation of labour, and the makeup of firms. By showing how data, digitalisation, and algorithmic models govern daily life, the ways that AI can be harnessed to strengthen democracy, support decolonisation, and accelerate decarbonisation are presented.

This book provides unique insight into the ways that AI will redefine economics and society. It will be relevant to students, researchers, and policymakers interested in the political economy, the development of AI, and the future of the world.

Bhabani Shankar Nayak is Professor at the Guildhall School of Business and Law, London Metropolitan University.

Nigel Walton was Senoir Lecturer at the Portsmouth Business School, University of Portsmouth. He was a pioneer in research on AI and the impacts of digitalisation and technology.