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Jun 22, 2025
Richa Yadav

Age of Artificial Intelligence

The impact of AI is widespread. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘AI’? Efficiency? Automation? Chat Boxes, self-driving cars, or mass unemployment? It’s even deeper, says distinguished academic scholar, author, and Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University, USA, Subhash Kak. AI's impact will be profound and widespread. The geopolitics, the world population, and the idea of self will change unimaginably. First of all, the presence of AI has begun to change the very basic mental makeup of humans. The acceptance of this idea that we are perceived as algorithms is changing something within us. We are giving up our agency and bringing the machines to the centre for most of our decision-making. Strangely, we have begun to perceive ourselves as machines and are trusting our algorithmic lives more than we did in the past. This is leading to disillusionment and pushing us to stay confined to our own AI-driven virtual spaces. It is estimated that the global population, at the end of the century, will be almost half of what it is now. Increasing job losses, alarming rate of disillusionment among people due to drugs, etc, migration, changing focus from love of nature to virtual spaces, are all gradually shifting away the younger generations from creating families by giving birth to young ones. Yes, people are being encouraged not to think of having babies! This is seen all over the world, be it the US, Canada, or any European country like Italy, Spain, Russia, or Ukraine. This is also visible as a common trend in Asian countries like Japan and Korea, and China. By the end of 2300, from today’s 8 billion, the world population might shrink to 100 million! The global political power dynamics will change; the countries that are dominating the geopolitical game will have an even bigger role in play. The European economy is going down; it is only 60% of the American economy. China's population right now is about four times that of the US, but in another 80 years, there are projections that China's population will be less than that of the Americas. This also gives the Chinese greater incentive to invest in robotics. So, it's a complicated game. Countries like the US and China, with more advanced AI, will use technology to disrupt the world, changing the power dynamics. When the fertility rates collapsed, some European nations opened their door for immigrants, going easy on their migration policies. However, with the increasing rate of migration in the last few years, it would be another major factor, and the cultural clash between the new immigrant groups and the host populations will sharpen, especially in the West, the author argues. “Without assimilation, some European nations will disappear in the coming decades.” (pg. 14) and “the West will experience an existential crisis due to migrants who do not wish to assimilate and whose numbers are expected to rival the natives at many places.” (pg. 206) This idea might be contested as with the rising impact of globalisation, cultural ties are breaking, and people are moving towards homogenous cultural trends in their lifestyles and way of thinking. The role of AI in disrupting collective memory and cultural heritage could not be ignored. AI, being a broken mirror, reflects only a shattered, broken reality. Using this powerful metaphor, Kak explains how we are forced to see only some aspects of reality, not the whole; this distortion of reality impacts our creativity, our ethics and connection to our culture. Throughout history, and even in the contemporary world, wars have been waged to take control or with the intention of erasure of other races and communities. However, AI is changing the way political power will be displayed in the days to come. No more killing of the non-believers or burning books, temples, and arts would be needed; AI has given a rather ‘non-violent’ way to do the same in subtle ways. It will create false memories and baseless narratives, silencing the voice of those who do not fit into the crude designs. “If the West is doing the programming, the rivals will get programmed…”, says the author, warning against something similar to ‘colonisation’ of minds we have witnessed in the past. (pg.208) The methods of education are also evolving due to AI. Online education is another disruptive challenge forthcoming for colleges, as their purpose will be defeated when more and more students get engaged in online learning opportunities. Colleges will be at risk of shutting down. Not only has technology made the brick-and-mortar libraries obsolete, but the workplaces are transforming, and the needs of businesses, governments, and societies are shifting. No matter how enthralling the results of AI may appear, we should not forget that it will ultimately enslave humanity. If there is no absolute morality, then the centrality of the individual is replaced with the primacy of the group identity that is defined by the collective. The author highlights a flaw in wokeism: its intolerance of differing viewpoints. He argues that "cultural Marxism," as the underlying framework, lacks a common external standard or "referent" for truth, meaning it struggles to acknowledge validity outside its own prescribed groupthink. Kak integrates his critique of Cultural Marxism and wokeism into a broader warning about the AI age. He believes AI, while offering potential, also risks alienation and enslavement by concentrating power in the hands of those who control information. He champions "culture and memory" as vital defences against these technological and ideological threats to human dignity and freedom. I have been following Professor Kak’s work through his appearances on several podcasts available on YouTube. He has always strongly argued that the reductionist, materialistic rationality does not fully explain reality. I wondered if his new book would budge from his stance. Yet, he still continues to argue that this newfound algorithmic reality is not going to give the complete picture of the world. Can AI mimic the limits of human creativity? Well, no, but ultimately what we say is expressed in language, and who is spreading the words, dominating the voice? The book gives an all-encompassing analysis of the historic, philosophical, and social impact of this unavoidable technology in the market, which is ready to define the leadership, society and the self. It is an amazing book. Intellectually quite stimulating and very insightful. The author puts so many ideas and concepts together, helping you connect the dots and witness how the world is changing at a fast pace, where we have to stay put, never letting go of our own agency, as the author successfully reminds his readers. Are you ready to be driven by algorithm-driven propaganda? If not, then know how it can be a glaring possibility. Pages: 228 Publishers: Garuda Prakashan Pvt. Ltd

Jun 21, 2025
Viren S Doshi

U.S. Debt Reality: Accountability, Economic Strength and Trump’s Fiscal Reforms

A narrative cleverly generated and widely circulated by the communists and leftists has been gaining ground across even the financially literate classes - “the United States’ huge national debt results from unaccountable dollar printing”. This propaganda oversimplifies a complex reality, ignoring the U.S.’s unmatched ability to service its debt and its still robust economic fundamentals. The misconception arising from this misinformation onslaught dismisses the democratic nation’s technological prowess and research leadership, hard work and fairly sound economic base. U.S. Economy - Ratings Almost all ratings of the U.S. economy have had the impact of the Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless spending, but still, the ratings are in top rankings and mostly with a stable outlook. The Trump Administration is taking serial measures to strengthen the fundamentals, and the ratings will definitely have the impact of these vital measures. Strong Ratings are indicative of the U.S. economy’s abilities to meet the debt obligations. AAA/Aaa ratings signify the highest level of creditworthiness, indicating a very low risk of default. AA+/Aa1 ratings indicate a very strong capacity to meet financial obligations, but with slightly higher risk than AAA. The outlook indicates the likely direction of the rating in the future. A negative outlook suggests further downgrades are possible if economic conditions worsen. The current ratings are as follows - Moody's: Aa1, with a stable outlook. S&P: AA+ with a negative outlook, as it was. Fitch: AA+ with a negative outlook, as it was. While the Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless spending fuelled debt and inflation; the Trump Administration’s efforts - including the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), and rescissions - aim to control spending, leverage tariff revenue and bolster growth as well as investment positioning the U.S. economy on a stronger pedestal. U.S. Debt Position and Debt Accountability The U.S. remains the most accountable nation in managing its debt. The Federal Reserve operates independently, balancing monetary policy, while Treasury securities are issued transparently and purchased globally, reflecting trust in the American dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The U.S. has never defaulted, servicing $600 billion in annual interest payments—about 15% of federal spending—with a $25 trillion GDP and diversified economy. This accountability is reinforced by Congressional oversight, market discipline and innovation from companies like Apple and institutions like MIT, driving tax revenues and growth. However, the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies of reckless spending, much of it on non-citizens / illegal immigrants and on populist measures to lure votes, strained this foundation. Their $4.7 trillion in new borrowing, including the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, pushed the debt from $27.8 trillion to $35.3 trillion, with deficits hitting $1.7 trillion in 2023. These measures, alongside $1.7 trillion in regulatory costs, drove inflation to 20% since 2021, eroding real wages by $2,230 per worker. This spending spree exacerbated economic pressures, increasing costs for housing and groceries. Trump Administration and Economic Reforms The Trump Administration is addressing this fiscal challenge through strategic reforms. The OBBB, passed by the House in May 2025, delivers $1.7 trillion in mandatory savings—the largest in history—through welfare reform, energy deregulation and border security. Contrary to initial Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates suggesting a $2.4 trillion deficit increase, these projections failed to account for tariff revenue and mischaracterised the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) as new tax cuts. The TCJA’s extension maintains existing policy, not adding new revenue losses. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House readouts clarify that CBO’s $2.8 trillion tariff revenue forecast over a decade offsets the bill’s net fiscal impact, potentially yielding a $500 billion surplus besides the likely surplus from DOGE and other cuts. CBO has now corrected its projections. DOGE targets $180 billion in savings by reducing federal inefficiencies, though these figures would need more verification. A $9.4 billion rescissions package sent to Congress cuts funds from programs like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, signalling spending restraint. The CBO’s revised tariff estimates, projecting $2.8 trillion in revenue, align with Bessent’s assertion that tariffs on imports (10-50%) will fund TCJA extensions and new policies like no taxes on tips or overtime, boosting U.S. investment and U.S. manufacturing. The U.S. economy - the way forward The economy remains fundamentally strong, with 2.5% growth in 2024 despite one of the worst administrations led by Autopen Biden, at least from the economic point of view. There was 3.8% unemployment, and yet $3 trillion in exports. The economy is now poised to take off with a drastic reduction in trade deficits. The $971 billion trade deficit is offset by capital inflows, debunking the oversimplification that the U.S. prints dollars to import goods. The dollar’s reserve status ensures low borrowing costs and global demand for U.S. Treasuries reflects confidence. Trump’s tariffs and deregulation aim to enhance domestic production, potentially reducing import reliance. Looking forward, Trump’s policies—extending TCJA, expanding energy production, and streamlining infrastructure—are poised to drive at least 3% annual growth, surpassing CBO’s 1.8% forecast. Despite concerns about tariff volatility, these measures, combined with $6.7 trillion in projected decadal deficit reduction from tariffs, discretionary cuts, and regulatory rollbacks, would strengthen fiscal health. Conclusion The U.S. debt narrative must move beyond myths of unaccountable printing. The nation’s accountability, innovation and economic resilience enable it to manage its obligations. While Biden-Harris spending fuelled inflation, Trump’s reforms via OBBB, DOGE and tariffs chart a path to fiscal responsibility and economic leadership. For those who are “strongly” predicting and “eagerly” waiting for the American Economy to collapse, they will have to “wait” longer. Those whose hype is based on the huge number of debt - 36 trillion USD, they might have to realise that this also indicates the creditworthiness of this democratic, open-market numero uno economy. Remember, number two is way behind number one. Let us not get bogged down by fake narratives being constantly pushed by the leftist anti-democratic, anti-open-market forces led by the CCP - the Chinese Communist Party.