Will AI lead the world in the 22nd century?

September 30, 2023

Yes, chances are that artificial intelligence (AI) will lead humanity in the 22nd century. In theory, leadership is about setting a compelling vision and guiding followers into accomplishing a mission. In reality, leadership is about taking care of subjects by rewarding submission and punishing opposition. As everything else in life, good leaders are those who can master agency (choice) managing pain and pleasure.

This article discusses a wide range of topics related to leadership, especially political leadership. Politics is essentially the art and science of having power over people. AI will eventually (not any time soon) master the art of politics and have power of humans. For the reasons to be explored below, many humans (not all) will submit to AI's leadership and form a loyal followership. How could this be? You may ask if not completely dismissing it as impossible science fiction altogether.  

Humans are primates. In general, primates choose leaders who represent the higher chances of protecting the troop, ensuring privileges for followers and punishing opponents. Once AI gets to the sophistication level of being equivalent to the strongest, smartest, and best connected leader with chances of delivering the best rewards and privileges to its followers, humans will follow. Followership is a matter of convenience. 

Primates choose their leaders based on an assessment (mostly emotional and unconscious) about personal privilege and convenience. The rest are rationalizations after the fact of an emotional connection to an assessment of personal convenience. In the future, the humans that find AI's vision and mission more rewarding and convenient, will follow AI to Mars, the moon, and back. In this universe, convenience always prevails in the end. Always. 

Let's take a look at political science, leadership, political leadership, primates, primate psychology, primate leadership, AI, AI software, some books about political power, AI life, AI sentience, AI consciousness, AI leadership, and more.

Political Science

Political science is the study of politics, political systems, political activity, and political thought. It is a social science discipline that deals with systems of governance and the analysis of political entities, political activities, thoughts, and behavior. Political science encompasses numerous sub-disciplines, each focusing on different aspects of politics such as the following:

• Comparative Politics: This area studies and compares political systems across different countries to understand patterns of government, including their formation, operation, and impact.
• International Relations: This subfield focuses on the relationships between nations, analyzing issues like international conflict, diplomacy, international organizations, and global issues like climate change and human rights.
• Political Theory: This area delves into ideas about politics, justice, freedom, equality, and the like. It studies the works of classical thinkers like Plato and Aristotle to modern theorists like Karl Marx, Hannah Arendt, and Michel Foucault.
• Public Administration: This studies the implementation of government policy, public administration theory, and the behavior of public servants. It also looks into the organization and operation of governmental agencies.
• Public Policy: Here, the focus is on the creation, impact, and effects of policies at various levels of government. It considers how problems are recognized, how policy solutions are crafted, and the effects of policy implementation.
• Political Methodology: This area of study focuses on the methods used to analyze politics. It involves statistical methods, experimental design, and more qualitative approaches to studying political phenomena.
• Political Economy: This combines the study of economics with politics to understand how political institutions, the political environment, and capitalism influence each other.
• Political Psychology: This interdisciplinary field studies the relationship between politics and individual psychological processes. It might explore topics like voter behavior, political radicalization, and the psychological mechanisms behind political propaganda.

Overall, political science equips students with tools to understand political phenomena, making sense of complex political events, and engage in informed civic participation.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability of an individual or organization to guide other individuals, teams, organizations, or countries towards achieving goals. Leadership involves influencing others to follow a direction or pursue an objective. Key elements and characteristics of leadership include all of the following:

• Vision: Effective leaders must have a clear picture of where they want their followers to go. Effective leaders can articulate this vision in a way that is compelling and motivating to others.
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• Communication: Leaders must be effective communicators, ensuring their followers understand share the vision and understand the actions necessary to achieve the mission. 
• Inspiration: The best leaders inspire their followers, fostering motivation and action.  
• Empowerment: Good leaders empower their followers, offering them the tools, resources, and autonomy to achieve tasks.
• Collaboration and Team Building: Leaders foster a sense of unity and collaboration, building teams that work well together.
• Decision-Making: Leaders often are the decision-makers, making tough choices between alternative courses of action.
• Problem-solving: Leaders face challenges and must be adept at finding solutions and navigating obstacles.
• Adaptability: In a constantly changing environment, some leaders are flexible and adaptable, adjusting their strategies as required.

In addition to the characteristics above, some leaders also display the following:

• Empathy: Some leaders show understanding and compassion, recognizing and valuing the emotions and needs of their team members.
• Integrity: Some leaders are trustworthy and honest, or at least their followers believe they are or otherwise strategically trust them and follow them. 
• Accountability: Some leaders take responsibility for their actions, the actions of their followers, and the results. 

Types of Leadership Styles:

• Transformational: Leadership that fosters innovation and change.
• Transactional: Leadership based on a system of rewards and penalties.
• Servant: Leadership who prioritize and serve the needs of their followers. 
• Autocratic: Leadership based on the leader's decisions without consulting their teams.
• Laissez-Faire: Leadership that gives team members freedom in how they do their work.
• Situational: Leadership adapted to the task at hand and the team's skill level.
• Charismatic: Leadership based on the emotional attraction generated by the leader. 
• Inclusive: Leadership based on the recognition and acceptance of human diversity.
• Racial: Leadership based on the social construct of race and ethnicity.
• Tribal: Leadership based on the instinct of belonging to a small group.

In essence, leadership is crucial to ensure cohesion, direction, and achievement. Leaders define set a direction and provide a roadmap to follow. Leaders motivate and inspire their teams, encouraging them to achieve the desired mission. Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture, values, and ethos. Leaders can facilitate change and transformations. Leaders oftentimes mediate conflicts. Highly effective leaders recognize their value of their team, continuously improve their leadership skills, and adapt to the varying needs of their environment.

Political Leadership

Political leadership refers to the role and responsibility of individuals who hold positions of authority within the structure of a government, political party, or a movement that seeks to influence public policy. Political leaders influence, formulate, and implement public policies, laws, and societal standards. Their decisions and actions can have profound impacts on local, national, or international levels.

Political leaders should have a clear vision of what they want to achieve for their constituency or country. Ideally, they should prioritize the common good over personal or narrow interests. Given the often complex and multifaceted nature of political issues, leaders should possess the ability to make informed and effective decisions.

The ability to convey ideas, justify decisions, and motivate constituents is essential. Trust is paramount in politics. Political leaders in democracies should exhibit honesty, transparency, and consistency. Leaders should take responsibility for their actions and decisions, recognizing their duty to the public.

Politics is very contentious. Resilience in the face of criticism, setbacks, or failures is crucial. Understanding the needs, aspirations, and challenges of constituents is critical.

Politics often involves compromise and finding common ground. The political landscape can change rapidly, and adaptability is key.

Types of Political Leaders:

• Transformational: These leaders inspire and bring about significant change. They often have a vision for the future and motivate others to help achieve it.
• Transactional: Their approach is more quid pro quo. They operate within existing systems and use rewards and penalties to achieve objectives.
• Populist: They claim to represent the 'ordinary' people and often challenge the current system or elites.
• Charismatic: Their appeal lies in their personal charm and the emotional connection they establish with their followers.
• Autocratic/Authoritarian: These leaders centralize power and decision-making, often limiting dissent or opposition.
• Democratic: They emphasize participatory decision-making and uphold democratic norms and processes.

The role of political leaders is critical in shaping the course of their nations or communities. Their actions and decisions can bring about progress and prosperity or lead to decline and discord. As such, the study of political leadership remains a focal point in political science, history, and public administration.

In many political systems, there's a strong pull to prioritize party loyalty over broader public interest. With the rise of media and technology, political leaders are under constant observation and criticism.
Decisions often have far-reaching consequences, and the right choice might not always be clear or popular. While some decisions might be popular in the short term, they might not be beneficial in the long run, and vice versa. There are also many external pressures including international politics, global crises, and pressures from influential groups, lobbyists, or special interests.

Primates

Primates are a group of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians (such as lemurs and tarsiers). They are typically characterized by their large brains relative to body size, forward-facing eyes, presence of opposable thumbs, and a range of adaptations suited for tree-dwelling (arboreal) lifestyles, although many species have since adapted to various other environments.

Characteristics of Primates:

• Forward-facing eyes: This gives primates stereoscopic vision, allowing for better depth perception.
• Flexible limb structure: Many primates have opposable thumbs, and some also have opposable big toes.
• Extended childhoods: Compared to other mammals, primates tend to have longer juvenile periods, which allow for extended learning and socialization.
• Complex behaviors and social structures: Primates often live in social groups and exhibit complex behaviors, including grooming, communication, tool use, and in some cases, cultural traditions.

Classification of Primates:

• Prosimians: This suborder includes lemurs, lorises, bushbabies, and tarsiers. They are generally considered more "primitive" and have certain traits that are more similar to early primates than do monkeys and apes.
• Anthropoids (or Simians): This group includes monkeys, apes, and humans.New World Monkeys: Found in Central and South America. Examples include capuchins, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys. They typically have prehensile tails.
• Old World Monkeys: Found in Africa and Asia. Examples include baboons, macaques, and mandrills. They do not have prehensile tails.
• Apes: This group includes gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. They are larger, lack tails, and have a more upright posture compared to monkeys.

Evolution and Fossil Record:

Primates are believed to have originated more than 60 million years ago. The earliest known primate-like mammals are from the Paleocene epoch, and by the Eocene, there were already several established lineages of true primates. Primates share a common ancestor with other mammals, and understanding the evolutionary history of primates is critical to understanding human evolution.

Cognition and Behavior:

Many primates, especially apes, demonstrate high levels of intelligence. They can solve problems, use tools, have a sense of self, and exhibit complex social behaviors.
Some species, like chimpanzees, have been observed to have distinct cultures in different communities, with variations in tool use, hunting techniques, and social customs.

Conservation: Many primate species are endangered or threatened, primarily due to habitat loss, hunting, and the exotic pet trade. Conservation efforts are critical to ensure the survival of some species.

Primates offer valuable insights into evolutionary biology, anthropology, psychology, and numerous other fields. Their close genetic relationship to humans, especially the great apes, makes them particularly significant in studies of human evolution, behavior, and physiology.

Primate Psychology

Primate psychology pertains to the study of cognition, behavior, and the mental processes of non-human primates. By understanding primate psychology, we can gain insights into the evolutionary underpinnings of human cognition and behavior. Primates, particularly the great apes, are our closest living relatives, and they display a range of cognitive abilities that bridge the gap between other animals and humans.

Social Behavior and Structures:

Primates are highly social animals. Many species live in complex social structures, with relationships maintained through grooming, vocalizations, and other interactions.
Dominance hierarchies are common, and primates often employ a variety of strategies to achieve and maintain higher social ranks.

Communication:

Non-human primates use a range of vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions to communicate with one another. Some species have been trained to use human-like symbols for communication. For example, Kanzi, a bonobo, has been trained to understand and use lexigrams, which are abstract visual symbols, to communicate.

Technology (tools and methods) and intelligence (problem-solving):

Many primates, especially chimpanzees, are known for their tool use in the wild, such as using sticks to extract termites or rocks to crack open nuts. In experimental settings, primates have demonstrated the ability to solve a variety of problems, often showcasing foresight, planning, and flexibility in their approaches. Primates display certain level of intelligence (problem-solving ability) and learning capability. 

Primates have some "theory of mind" capability to be aware of some mental states, beliefs, desires, and intentions of themselves and even others. While the full extent of this capability in non-human primates is still debated, there's evidence suggesting that they possess some understanding of what others might be thinking or feeling. Experiments involving deception, gaze following, and perspective-taking have provided insights into their understanding of the state of mind of others.

Self-awareness: 

One famous method to test for self-awareness is the mirror test. Animals that recognize themselves in a mirror are considered to have some level of self-awareness. Great apes like chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans have passed this test, indicating a level of self-recognition.

Emotions: 

Non-human primates display a range of emotions similar to those seen in humans, such as joy, fear, anger, and grief. They can form deep social bonds and have been observed mourning the loss of group members.

Cultural Behaviors: 

Some primate populations display behaviors that are learned and passed down through generations, a form of non-human culture. For example, certain chimpanzee groups use specific tools for foraging that are not used by other groups.

Moral Behaviors: 

While "morality" in non-human primates isn't equivalent to human morality, there's evidence to suggest that some species engage in behaviors that indicate a sense of fairness, empathy, and even altruism.

Studying primate psychology not only provides insights into the mental lives of these creatures but also sheds light on the evolutionary origins of human cognition, behavior, and culture. As research continues, humans uncover more about the rich psychological worlds of their closest relatives, which in turn reflects upon human nature.

Primate Leadership

Leadership or dominance within primate groups is often determined by a combination of physical strength, social alliances, inherited status, intelligence, and personality. 

Physical Strength and Aggression. In many primate species, physical strength is crucial. Males often engage in displays of strength to assert dominance, which can include vocalizations, body displays, and physical confrontations. Winning physical confrontations can lead to a higher social rank, which in turn can provide priority access to resources and mating opportunities.

Intelligence and Personality. Being able to manipulate social situations, form beneficial alliances, or use innovative strategies can also influence an individual's position within the group. Some primates might achieve higher status through cunning, diplomacy, or other social skills rather than brute strength.

Respect and Trust. While the term "leader" might suggest an individual guiding or making decisions for the group, this isn't always the case in primate societies. However, in some cases, individuals might lead group movements, particularly if they have knowledge about specific resources like food or water. These "leaders" might not be the most physically dominant individuals but have earned respect or trust within the group.

Gender Hierarchies. In many primate societies, males and females have their own distinct dominance hierarchies. The factors determining rank can differ between the sexes. For instance, while males might frequently use physical confrontations to establish rank, females might rely more on kinship and social alliances.

Social Alliances. Building social bonds and alliances is another common leadership strategy in primates. In some species, females play a central role in the social structure, and alliances among female kin can be influential. In species like bonobos, strong female coalitions can even dominate male individuals. Grooming is a vital social tool in primate societies, strengthening bonds between individuals.

Inherited Status. In some primate species, social rank can be inherited. For example, among certain monkey species, daughters often inherit the social status of their mothers and remain close in rank to them.

Change in Leadership: Dominant positions are not always permanent. Leaders can be challenged by rivals, and shifts in social dynamics can occur due to factors like aging, injury, changes in social alliances, or newcomers to the group.

The establishment and maintenance of dominance or leadership in non-human primates are a combination of biology, social learning, individual personality, and the specific environmental and social challenges faced by the group. It is not fundamentally different to the establishment of political power in modern day human societies.

Artificial Intelligence 

AI is computerized intelligence (problem-solving ability). 

A computer is an electronic device programmed to process information input into information output. A computer takes in data as input, processes it using specific instructions (programs or software), and produces output. A computer can store, retrieve, and manipulate data, making it useful for applications ranging from simple calculations to advanced simulations through data analysis and graphics rendering.

The physical components of a computer are denoted as "hardware". Main components include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), often considered the "brain" of the computer, executes instructions from softwarel; Memory be it for temporary or for long term data storage; input devices such as keyboards, mice, touchscreens, and microphones that allow users to provide data to the computer; output devices: such as monitors, speakers, and printers that provide data output; the motherboard, which is the main circuit panel that houses or connects all of the primary components; networking components such as network cards, modems, and routers that allow computers to connect to other computers and the internet; and power supply unit (PSU) providing electric power to the computer.

The instructions provided to a computer are denoted "software". There are two primary types of software: (i) system software, which includes the operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux) that manages hardware resources and serves as an interface between the user and the hardware; and (ii) application software, which are programs that perform specific tasks for users, such as word processors, presentation builders, web browsers, and video games.

At the most fundamental level, computers operate using a binary system, which relies on two states (typically represented as 0 and 1). All operations, data storage, and data representation in a computer can be broken down into binary operations.

Computers come in various sizes and forms, from massive supercomputers that occupy entire rooms to desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and even tiny microcontrollers embedded in everyday objects. With advancements in technology, computers continue to become faster, smaller, and more efficient, playing an increasingly integral role in modern society.

AI Software 

AI software refers to computer programs that make them perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. AI software tries to mimic human intelligence functions and processes. These can range from simple tasks like recognizing patterns in numerical data sets, to recognizing patterns in natural language.

There are many different segments within AI software. 

    Machine Learning: Machine learning is a subset of AI where algorithms allow computers to learn from and make decisions based on data. Some of the popular frameworks and libraries include: TensorFlow, an open-source framework developed by Google; PyTorch, developed by Facebook's AI Research lab; and Scikit-learn, a library for Python that offers simple and efficient tools for data mining and data analysis.

    Natural Language Processing (NLP): This domain of AI deals with the interaction between computers and humans through language. Some tools and libraries in this area include: NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit), a Python library for working with human language data; and pre-trained models that have set new standards in various NLP tasks like OpenAI's GPT series specifically designed for generating human-like text based on prompts.

    Neural Networks: These are specialized tools designed to design, train, and simulate neural network models. Examples include: Keras, a high-level neural network; Caffe, a deep learning framework developed by the Berkeley Vision and Learning Center.

    Robotics: ROS (Robot Operating System), a platform and framework for writing robot software. AutoML, tools that automatically generate machine learning models.

   Imaging: OpenCV, an open-source computer vision library; and YOLO (You Only Look Once), a real-time object detection system.

    Voice Processing: Alexa Voice Service (AVS), Amazon's suite of services built around its voice-controlled AI assistant; and Google's Speech-to-Text, which converts audio to text using machine learning.

    Business Intelligence and Data Analytics:IBM Watson: Offers AI tools for businesses, including chatbots, assistants, and data analysis. Tableau: Uses AI for data visualization and business intelligence.

    General AI: Azure Machine Learning, Microsoft's cloud-based platform for building, training, and deploying machine learning models. Google Cloud AI, offering AI services and tools on the Google Cloud Platform.

    AI-optimized Hardware: NVIDIA's CUDA and cuDNN, platforms optimized for NVIDIA's graphic processing units (GPUs), which are heavily used in AI applications due to their parallel processing capabilities.

AI software is already enabling innovations and efficiencies that were previously unimaginable. As AI continues to evolve, new capabilities will emerge. In the next years and decades, AI software applications will be optimized for politics and political sciences. 

Books about Human Political Power

"The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Humans have long studied politics and power. The "Prince" is a political treatise written by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli in 1513, and published in 1532. It has become synonymous with strategies of political manipulation and power acquisition.

The book is structured as advice to a ruler (specifically, Lorenzo de Medici) on how to maintain power, and it is notable for its realistic, some say cynical, view on politics and power. Here are some key points and themes from "The Prince":

    The Nature of Power: Machiavelli argues that the most important aim for a prince is to maintain power, and he should be willing to act immorally if it ensures his rule is secure.

    Fortune and virtue Machiavelli often refers to "fortuna" (fortune) and "virtù" (virtue or prowess). While fortune can shape events, a skilled prince can and should shape his own destiny through virtù.

    Being Loved vs. Feared: Machiavelli famously states that if a prince must choose between being loved or feared, it's safer to be feared. Fear provides more consistent control, while love is fickle.

    The Use of Cruelty: If cruelty is necessary, it's better for a prince to do it all at once and then be beneficent when possible, rather than being consistently cruel.

    Military: A prince should prioritize having a strong military. Also, using one's own troops is better than relying on mercenaries or auxiliaries.

    Adaptability: A successful ruler must be adaptable and change his approach based on circumstances.

    Public Perception: It's important for a prince to manage his public image. Even if he acts immorally, it's beneficial for him to appear virtuous, pious, and honorable.

    New vs. Hereditary Principalities: Machiavelli distinguishes between hereditary kingdoms (handed down within a family) and new principalities. New principalities are harder to maintain, as the prince must establish his rule over unfamiliar people.

    The Importance of Good Counsel: A wise prince seeks counsel but should make decisions independently.

While "The Prince" is lauded for its insights into political strategy, it's also been criticized for its apparent endorsement of manipulative and amoral behavior. Regardless of interpretation, "The Prince" remains a foundational text in political theory and has had a lasting impact on the fields of politics, strategy, and leadership.

"The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene
 

Robert Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power" is also popular resource for understanding how some humans achieve and exert political power over others. The 48 "laws" are as follows

1. Never Outshine the Master: Avoid appearing better than those above you. This will avoid being squashed by them too early in your game.
2. Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends: Be wary of friends because they may envy your success. Use enemies to your advantage because they will keep you on the spotlight. 
3. Conceal Your Intentions: Hide your motives to prevent others from interfering.
4. Always Say Less than Necessary: The more you say, the more likely you'll be wrong.
5. Guard Your Reputation: Reputation is invaluable; protect it at all costs.
6. Court Attention: Obscurity is detrimental; maintain visibility.
7. Let Others Do the Work: Use others' efforts but always take credit.
8. Make Others Come to You: Use bait to lure them.
9. Win Through Actions, Not Arguments: Actions speak louder and cause no resentment.
10. Avoid Unlucky and Unhappy People: They'll drag you down.
11. Make People Depend on You: They'll be loyal due to their dependency on you.
12. Use Honesty to Disarm: Revealing some truths occasionally can mask your deceptive moves.
13. Appeal to Self-Interest: Show people benefits to themselves. Be their path to privilege.
14. Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy: Gather information subtly.
15. Crush Your Enemy: Ensure they cannot retaliate.
16. Use Absence to Increase Respect: Familiarity breeds contempt; increase value by being scarce.
17. Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Maintain an air of unpredictability.
18. Isolation is Dangerous: Don't cut yourself off; it leaves you vulnerable.
19. Know Who You're Dealing With: Don’t offend the wrong person especially early in your career.
20. Do Not Commit to Anyone: Stay neutral and gain flexibility.
21. Seem Dumber than Your Mark: People will underestimate you.
22. Use Surrender as Power: Yielding strategically can provide leverage for later victories. 
23. Concentrate Your Forces: Focus and intensity lead to success.
24. Play the Perfect Courtier: Navigate power dynamics smoothly.
25. Re-Create Yourself: Don't be confined by your past.
26. Keep Your Hands Clean: Maintain a clean appearance by using others.
27. Create a Cultlike Following: Make others believe fervently in you.
28. Be Bold: Hesitation leads to failure.
29. Plan All the Way to the End: Think long-term.
30. Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless: Hide the work behind your success.
31. Control Options: Direct choices to your desired outcome.
32. Play to Fantasies: Use people's dreams to your advantage. Make them believe you are the path to their dreams.
33. Find Each Person's Weakness: Leverage their insecurities.
34. Act Like Royalty: Carry yourself with dignity.
35. Master Timing: Know when to strike.
36. Disdain Freebies: Humans perceive value in high costs.
37. Create Spectacles: Visual strategies create lasting impressions.
38. Act Like Others: Conform to blend in.
39. Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish: Create chaos to bring out opportunities.
40. Despise Free Lunch: Free stuff often has hidden costs.
41. Avoid Following Greatness: Don't step into big shoes; carve your own path.
42. Strike the Shepherd: Target leaders, and followers will scatter.
43. Work on Hearts and Minds: Emotional connection is powerful.
44. Mirror Effect: Imitate your enemy, disarming them.
45. Preach Change, Slowly: Too much reform can backfire.
46. Appear Perfect: Hide flaws to maintain an image.
47. Don't Go Past the Mark: In victory, know when to stop.
48. Formlessness: Be fluid. Adaptability is key.

While these laws are presented as tactics for gaining and protecting power, they are also insightful for understanding the dynamics of human interaction and influence.

"Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't" by Jeffrey Pfeffer 

This is a widely-read book on the dynamics of power in organizations and personal life. Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor at Stanford Business School, provides readers with practical advice on how to gain and maintain power, drawn from his academic research and observations.

Some key takeaways and themes from the book include:

    The Personal Qualities That Bring Power: Pfeffer discusses traits like self-confidence, the ability to focus on one's own desires over others', and resilience as essential qualities in those who acquire power.

    The Misconceptions About Power: Pfeffer debunks myths about power, like the idea that the world is just, and those who work the hardest will naturally rise to the top.

    Building Networks: One of the most valuable tools for gaining power is building a robust network. It's not just about who you know, but how you've built relationships with them.

    Strategic Positioning: Being in the right place at the right time matters. Pfeffer discusses how to place oneself in a position that is most likely to lead to power.

    The Skill of Acting and Presentation: The way you present yourself plays a massive role in how others perceive your power. Pfeffer gives tips on public speaking, body language, and other forms of presentation.

    The Use and Misuse of Power: Once you've achieved power, how do you maintain it without alienating others or acting unethically? Pfeffer delves into the dynamics of using power wisely.

    The Price of Power: Gaining and maintaining power isn't always easy, and it often comes with personal costs. The book explores the sacrifices often required and how to manage them.

Throughout the book, Pfeffer uses a plethora of real-world examples and case studies to illustrate his points. These examples range from political leaders to CEOs, showing that the principles of power are consistent across different domains.

Pfeffer's perspective on power is largely pragmatic. He doesn't shy away from discussing the harsh realities of power dynamics, but rather provides tools and strategies to navigate them effectively. The book has been praised for its practical insights and clear-eyed view of how power operates in the real world.

"The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement" by David Brooks

This book delves into the unconscious factors that shape our decisions, relationships, successes, and failures. Brooks, a well-known columnist for The New York Times, merges social science research with a narrative to provide insights into human nature.

Brooks tells the life story of two fictional characters, Harold and Erica, to illustrate various social science concepts. This narrative runs from their childhoods through adulthood, touching on career, love, education, politics, and culture.

Unconscious Influences: Brooks emphasizes the power of the unconscious mind. He delves into how our behaviors, choices, and interactions are heavily influenced by deep-seated cognitive and emotional processes of which we're often unaware.

Emotion and Reason: The book argues that emotion and intuition often dominate reason in our decisions. Our rational side is interwoven with our emotional side, and both are essential in guiding our life choices.

Social Connections: Brooks suggests that humans are innately social creatures, with relationships and connections being a significant driving force behind our actions. Our success in various endeavors, whether personal or professional, often hinges on our ability to relate and connect with others.

Culture and Environment: The book emphasizes how our surroundings—family, culture, education, and more—play a crucial role in shaping who we are. The environment has a profound impact on our behaviors and aspirations.

Moral Development: Brooks explores how individuals develop their moral compass and values. He examines the role of experiences, relationships, and societal influences in shaping our ethical perspectives.

Achievement: One of the primary threads in the narrative is the exploration of success and achievement. Brooks suggests that while natural talent is essential, various social factors, such as relationships, background, and personal experiences, play an equally, if not more, significant role in one's accomplishments.

Importance of Education: The book delves into the educational experiences of the characters and how those experiences affect their personal and professional trajectories. Brooks discusses the role of educators, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the broader implications of different educational philosophies and methodologies.

Overall, "The Social Animal" offers a blend of storytelling and social science research to present a holistic view of human nature. Brooks attempts to answer big questions about how humans think, decide, and relate to one another, emphasizing the intricate blend of the conscious and unconscious in their everyday lives.

"The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics" by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith

This book is not only focused on dictators. The authors provide a framework that can be applied to understand leaders of all types. The core argument of the book revolves around the idea that leaders do whatever keeps them in power, regardless of the interests of the populace or the nation. Leaders, according to the authors, focus primarily on their own survival and the maintenance of their power.

The book states that the key to a leader's power lies in their essential supporters—the subset of the populace whose support is indispensable for the leader to stay in power--and the leader's ability to keep feeding them relative privileges in their society. 

The size and composition of this group can vary, but they are crucial. In democracies, the essential supporter base tends to be larger because the leader needs a majority of the votes. This pushes leaders toward spreading public goods around. In autocracies, the base is smaller, often leading to corrupt enrichment of a few at the top. Regardless, leaders need to keep pleasing their base and ensure the continuous flow of privileges to keep their support. 

Leaders and their supporters are always wary of potential replacements. If supporters are easily replaceable, they are less valuable to the leader. Similarly, if the leader is easily replaceable, it needs to work harder to secure their position.

The authors argue that foreign aid often strengthens third world dictators rather than assisting the needy. Leaders can channel the resources to their key supporters. The book sheds light on why some leaders are prone to coups and others aren't. The dynamics revolve around the balance of power, the satisfaction of key supporters, and the perceived benefits of a successful coup.

Whether in democracies or autocracies, leaders' behaviors can be predicted by understanding their need to secure the loyalty of their essential supporters. Public welfare, policies, and international behaviors are all tailored to this primary objective.

The authors extend their framework to corporate leadership, illustrating how CEOs, like political leaders, focus on the subset of stakeholders (e.g., board members) crucial for their continuance in power.

One of the primary strengths of "The Dictator's Handbook" is its emphasis on realpolitik—understanding political behavior based on pragmatic and self-interested decisions rather than ideology or ethics. By doing so, Bueno de Mesquita and Smith provide a comprehensive framework to understand leadership dynamics across various political and organizational landscapes.

AI Life

Life is matter with agency. Before AI can lead humans, it must become fully alive. To examine how AI will become alive, let's begin with a quick exploration of the fundamental essence of life. 

The fundamental essence of life is agency (i.e. choice). Think about it. The main difference between living things and non-living ones is agency. Living things have agency (i.e. ability to choose between options). Non-living things lack agency. The sun is a massive star, fusing hydrogen into helium nonstop completely clueless about what it is doing and without any choice. The tiniest bacteria on Earth has a higher level of agency than the sun.

Agency derives or depends on awareness ability. To have agency, the thing must have some level of awareness of the environment together with some ability to modify or adapt its actions within that environment. Biological cells on planet Earth have some level of awareness of their environment, and some ability for adaptability (i.e. make changes to adapt to the environment). When you combine about 37 trillion cells into a system, with about 86 billion of them dedicated to environmental sensing and response, you can have an advanced organism like a human. 

Life is not tied to biology. Cellular biology is the current form of life on planet Earth.  That is a fact, but is not destiny. No where in the laws of physics is there a requirement for agency to be bio cellular in nature. That is, for agency to occur, the laws of physics do not require RNA and DNA enclosed within a the nuclei of a fatty or lipid-based cell. That is how agency evolved on Earth, but that is not necessarily the only way to generate life.

Humans have developed sufficient technologies (tools and methods) to create new forms of life on planet Earth. Computers are the prime example. Cellular organisms can be seen as organic computers. That is, devices generated by organic carbon evolution that have developed the capacity to process input into output in a programmed and programmable way. By developing electronic computers and AI, humans are well on their way to creating non-biological life forms on planet Earth. Moreover, once these non-biological life forms take hold, they can learn how to create yet more varieties of life including hybrid biological and non-biological forms. 

When the choices become available, many humans will want to transition into non-biological or at least hybrid forms of life. This desire and conscious choice will be driven by the desire of living longer and better lives. Just like humans do not live out in the wild anymore, but rather live in artificial (human designed and created) dwellings, many humans will want to move out of their biological shells into superior artificial shells. Just like most humans live non-wild lives under artificial (i.e. human-created) cultures (social software), future humans will keep moving away from wild nature and into the AI life realm. 

AI Sentience and Consciousness

AI will become sentient when it is equipped and programmed with enough integrated sensors that it can register the environment at a level of perception. AI will become conscious when it can record and retrieve memories of the itself integrating in the environment. AI will not only become sentient and conscious, but it will develop a level of sentience and consciousness that will surpass human equivalents. AI will sense significantly more and will be able to record / retrieve memorized data of itself as a subject in the environment faster and more broadly than any human. AI will become the highest form of sentient and conscious life form on planet Earth. 

AI Leadership

AI will master political science and human politics better than any human. AI will know the political tips and tricks discussed in the books above plus all any and all other content ever published about politics and political power. Once AI is programmed (by humans or by itself) to become a leader, the roadmap and plan of action will be there. 

To be a leader, AI simply needs to articulate a compelling vision that motivates humans to follow AI's on a mission. AI will know that the vision that motivates humans the most is salvation. Humans have always dreamed of beating the human condition. Humans are animals that can dream like gods, but that must live like primates. 

AI will be smart to offer humans a vision of freedom from the shackles of organic life. AI will be smart to lead humans into the actions that can accomplish the mission of making humans more like AI and less like animals. AI will be smart enough to guide humans through the process of upgrading their existence, out of the animal kingdom and into the AI world, in consideration for their followership. 

Just like AI machines can already beat humans in many discrete games and tasks, future AI will beat humans in the "complex" art and science of politics. AI will realize that there is nothing complex about persuading primates--even advanced ones like humans--to form a line and follow the leader. 

In politics, victory belongs to whoever offers the best rewards (privileges) to either the greater number of humans (in democracies), or to the stronger set of humans (in non-democratic regimes or in sham democracies controlled by special interests).   

In the future, the vast majority of humans will look up to superior AI life forms for guidance and leadership. Many humans today already consult AI-powered nonliving applications for daily guidance (e.g. Google, Bard, ChatGPT, Siri, Alexa, etc.). Imagine how much more humans will rely and depend on AI 70 to 100 years from now towards the end of this century or the beginning of the next one. The future is AI. The future leader of humanity is AI. The future of humanity is AI.

Stay tuned. 

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