Why Does the Ruling Class Express Concern About AI?

Part 1

Post-Renaissance: The Triumvirate of Dominant Forces in Colonialism - Business, Science/Engineering,  and Elected Governments- The emergence of Eurocentrism 

While the plague wrought havoc upon Europe during the 14th century, it also marked the continent's emergence from the shadows of the Dark Ages. The unforeseen economic consequences compelled a shift in power dynamics, prompting the urban Clergy and the wealthy elite to loosen their grip on their domains. They had no choice but to recruit villagers to address the labour shortages within their territories. This seismic change in wealth management redirected prosperity to villages for the first time in European history. The plague's impact extended beyond economics; it instigated profound transformations in the socio-political and cultural realms, once dominated by the Clergy and the ruling class. The emerging business class, with their wealth acquired from distant lands, rose to prominence, competing with and at times colonizing to counter the influence of the Clergy and the ruling class, ultimately establishing European nations as centres of power for this merchant class, even installing Medici family members as Popes within the Vatican. Culturally, this shift wasn't enough for the merchant class to assert its dominance over the traditional elites and the Church, so they sought inspiration from Greek antiquity to reinforce their status above the ruling class and the Church. Thus, the Renaissance marked the merchant class's ascendancy over Church and royalty, instigating the era of European colonization. Regrettably, for the merchants, this golden age of liberal values and cultural freedom proved short-lived.

The emergence of scientific knowledge and learning have introduced a new category of individuals, including technologists proficient in machinery and revivalist intellectuals concerned with the ethical decline brought about by the merchant class's cultural shift. Predictably, the Clergy and royalty, no longer the dominant forces in society, seized the opportunity to foster a revival of traditionalism throughout Catholic nations, seeking to regain their influence over the merchant class. They actively dismantled any remnants of the Renaissance associated with the merchant class that had become integral to European nations, striving to reinstate the traditional power of the Clergy and the ruling class. Fortunately, in countries like France and the UK, liberal merchant values continued to hold sway. The conflict between those championing humanity's cause, between religious traditionalism and merchant-class liberalism, divided Europe. While countries like Italy, Germany and others embraced religious conservatism, France pursued a political revolution to undermine both the Clergy and the ruling class, fearing a revivalist resurgence that could threaten the dominance of the merchant class in other parts of Europe.

However, except in France, by the 17th century, the Renaissance had faded as a philosophy and culture in Europe. Its enduring impact, though, remained at the heart of European heritage, influencing its colonial endeavours. Interestingly, the scientific community, having established themselves as influential figures capable of generating wealth and power through mechanization and weaponry, found common ground with both the ruling and business classes. As scientific knowledge eroded the authority of religious dogma, the business class proved more receptive to these ideas than the ruling class. This alignment with the merchant class further fueled colonization. The triad of new hegemonic powers in colonialism consisted of Business, Science/Engineering, and elected governments, and they made the Europe powerful- Very powerful.