The Dystopia We Never Saw Coming

Road sign up ahead! We need to have a serious discussion about the current state of AI—how it’s being used, who it’s really benefiting, and where the hell it’s headed. As an AI optimist, it’s hard not to feel a bit freaked out right now. We were promised a utopia, but we’re veering dangerously close to an AI dystopia instead. And I can’t help but notice that many of the same players who shaped the tech-industrial complex around social media are now steering the ship for AI.

There’s no shortage of disturbing headlines coming out of the tech world. Sure, AI has the potential to transform everything from healthcare to government to environmental challenges. But the reality is, it’s getting derailed by political interference at every turn. The politicization of AI, combined with a total lack of regulation, isn’t just reckless—it’s setting the stage for powerful entities to hijack AI for their own agendas. And let’s be real: those agendas aren’t about solving global problems—they’re about control and profit.

Here’s the kicker: we’ve seen a clear political shift in Silicon Valley, with many in the industry throwing their weight behind the new administration and likely will provide algo-support for Project 2025. The policy agenda aims to expand presidential powers, impose a far-right social vision on the U.S., and drastically overhaul federal agencies. It’s no exaggeration to say that backing this kind of agenda amounts to signing up for a dystopian future for AI. And don’t think for a second that AI won’t be weaponized in that vision.

Let’s talk about the tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who push this idea of “open content” on the web. It’s a phrase that sounds nice on paper, but it’s really just a loophole to justify rampant copyright infringement. The same people who claim to advocate for FREE SPEECH are, in reality, eroding the very systems that protect intellectual property and creativity and promote FREE HATE.

Here’s where things get really messy: the global regulation of AI. We need a framework that’s as robust and serious as the regulations we have around nuclear energy—something that can prevent disasters before they happen. But skepticism is running high. Between the dangers of misinformation, AI-generated revenge porn, and AI-driven extortion, the so-called utopia promised by the tech world feels more like a nightmare waiting to unfold.

On a personal note, I’m slowly making my exit from platforms like Facebook and Instagram—and I left X a while ago. I just don’t see the value for me or my clients anymore. The landscape is changing, and I’m looking for greener pastures—or should I say, bluer skies. TikTok, however, is still one to watch. It’s an amazing platform and has been the fastest way to build an audience. But let’s not kid ourselves: TikTok is no different from other platforms. The Chinese government has likely influenced public opinion through their algorithm, and they’ve almost certainly used all of the content on the app to train their AI. Whoever ends up buying TikTok will likely follow suit—because AI needs new data, and there’s a massive thirst for it.

Then there’s Frank McCourt, who’s looking to buy TikTok and completely change the way the internet works. His approach, grounded in Web3 principles, is one that I can get behind. It’s a vision of decentralization, empowering users rather than monopolizing them. If AI is going to evolve in a way that benefits society, we need more of this kind of thinking. The status quo? Not so much.

Related Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/magazine/curtis-yarvin-interview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qU4.FBnC.2_Tz_AIV9_Bf&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Related Podcast: https://ceoretort.com/podcast/solo/2024/08/22/the-end-of-ai-utopia-thanks-to-dumb-politics/

Related Article: https://fortune.com/2025/01/18/tiktok-sale-ban-frank-mccourt-trump-bytedance-supreme-court-biden/

Related Article: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/meta-zuckerberg-trans-lgbtq-hate-speech-rcna187696

AI Roundup

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Your staff will take matters into their own hands if you don't take a tight grip on generative AI. Here's how to wrestle back control. Start with an AI Policy. If you need help contact me.

Google inks deal with The Associated Press to bring more real-time info to Gemini

In a bid to make its Gemini chatbot app more of a one-stop shop, Google says it’s working with The Associated Press to build “a feed of real-time information” in Gemini. More licensing is the path forward.

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence steps down after disastrous app launch

As chief executive, Spence oversaw many successful products. But there was no coming back from last year’s app debacle: it has finally led to his ouster. Who said user experience design is not relevant anymore? Well, it created this downfall of a CEO.

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Help on the Way

My alma mater in Pasadena, Art Center College of Design, has established an Emergency Fund and these contributions have gone directly to the students, faculty and staff most impacted by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Many have lost their homes and lifes work. There are many ways to give, but I felt compelled to share how my alma mater is doing it. ?

There has been an immense outpouring of support for those affected and it is inspiring to witness the support by all who are activating their networks and financial resources.

Consider donating to the ArtCenter community:?GoFundMe Campaigns

Specifically, I want to mention my high school, college and Art Center colleague, Everard Williams, who is the Chair of Photography. He lost his home and this is his family’s GoFundMe.

Please donate where and what you can. #SoCalStrong

Davos Worldwide is Virtual

I am honored to be a panelist on “Navigating the Complexities of Data Sovereignty in a Globalized World”

January 23rd, 9:00 AM US Pacific time zone

Brief overview of data sovereignty in the context of the digital age and the exponential growth in AI. We explore the core issues: data privacy, cross-border data flows, and regulatory challenges. We will be exploring how data sovereignty intersects with national security, business operations, and global cooperation. We will focus the discussion to the individual. Does an individual have the right to privacy and most importantly monetization for their proprietary data? Fellow Santa Fean Alexander McCaig joins me. Learn more.

https://davosworldwide.org/events

Moderator: Chris Richardson

Panelists: Alexandre de Beauharnais Romanovsky , Family Office; Yagub Rahimov : CEO of Polygraf AI; Alexander Ramsay McCaig ?? : CEO Tartle; Hazel Mann , Principal, Zetta Advisory; Adam Apollo ; and Curt Doty .

El Sailon Returns in February

Ethics, Education & the Ethos of AI

Kevin (PhD) LaGrandeur?has more than 25 years of experience teaching, writing and speaking about technology and society, especially concerning AI ethics. Lately, he has been speaking about this at government and business meetings. He spoke to a segment of the EU Parliament on June 6, 2023, about AI and jobs, and is on a committee to form United Nations guidelines for using worker voice data.

More speakers to be announced.

Doors open at 5:30PM. Event begins at 6PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Thanks to Kerry Young at Boxcar. Eric Renz-Whitmore for continuing to support these lecture series and to the?City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development,?Hutton Broadcasting, and?Daniel Quat Photography?for their support.

February 11, 5:30-7:30 pm | BOXCAR

Your Path to Market Leadership Starts Here

AI adoption defines market leaders in this new age. At RealmIQ, we don’t just implement AI; we unlock its full potential to revolutionize how your business operates. Partner with us to lead your industry with AI-powered innovation.

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About the Author

Curt Doty is an award winning creative director whose legacy lies in branding, product development, social strategy, integrated marketing, and User Experience Design through CurtDoty.co. His work of entertainment branding includes Electronic Arts, EA Sports, ProSieben, SAT.1, WBTV Latin America, Discovery Health, ABC, CBS, A&E, StarTV, Fox, Kabel 1, and TV Guide Channel.

He has extensive experience on AI-driven platforms MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Murf.ai, HeyGen, and DALL-E. He now runs his AI consultancy RealmIQ and companion podcast RealmIQ: Sessions on YouTube and Spotify.

He is a sought after public speaker having been featured at Streaming Media NYC, Digital Hollywood, Mobile Growth Association, Mobile Congress, App Growth Summit, Promax, CES, CTIA, NAB, NATPE, MMA Global, New Mexico Angels, Santa Fe Business Incubator, EntrepeneursRx and AI Impact. He has lectured at universities including Full Sail, SCAD, Art Center College of Design, CSNU and Chapman University.

He currently serves on the board of the Godfrey Reggio Foundation.