Generative AI and the Triad of Knowledge, Money, and Power
Has the era of truly democratised knowledge arrived—or will entrenched power structures absorb this new technology to reinforce existing inequalities?
There is an age-old observation—or perhaps a maxim—that if you possess any two of the following: knowledge, money, or power, you can almost invariably secure the third. This logic suggests that these three forces form a kind of cycle: knowledge can help you earn money; money can help you acquire influence (power); and power, once achieved, often brings new insights (knowledge) and resources (money). Each element of this triad is deeply interconnected, influencing and sustaining the other two in an ongoing loop.
But how does this formula hold up in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world? With the rise of Generative AI (GenAI), knowledge seems to be more accessible than ever before. In many cases, the cost of accessing high-level insights has dropped to only the price of a subscription fee. Logically, one might ask: If knowledge is now easier to obtain, will everyone who pays for it inevitably become more powerful?
This question touches on a series of complex realities in the interplay between knowledge, money, and power. Below, we explore the nature of this relationship, and consider how Generative AI could reshape it.
The Traditional Equation: “Any Two” Yields the Third
Knowledge and Money Lead to Power
It’s often said that a person with sufficient knowledge and resources can almost always amass power. Historically, inventors, researchers, and learned individuals were in high demand. When financial backers aligned with brilliant minds, they created breakthroughs that cemented their standing in society.
For instance, in times past, a scholar backed by a wealthy patron could spark social movements, write influential works, or pioneer new technologies that eventually attracted the attention of leaders and elites, resulting in power—or at least enough influence to shape policies and trends.
Knowledge and Power Lead to Money
Another scenario is when you have knowledge and power but lack resources. In this case, the combination of political or social influence, plus specialized expertise, can draw in investors or supporters. This often manifests in the form of think-tanks, prestigious universities, or government-funded institutions. Governments may offer funding to those with novel ideas that benefit society—or more cynically, benefit the government’s agenda—thus granting money to people or organizations that already wield influence and expertise.
Money and Power Lead to Knowledge
Lastly, consider the scenario where individuals hold both money and power but lack specialized knowledge. Historically, kings, industrial magnates, or contemporary tech giants have simply purchased expertise by hiring top scientists, engineers, and strategists. By creating vast research labs or funding programs, they bring in the knowledge they need. This is akin to a modern corporate environment where a CEO may not have deep technical skills but can pay large sums to hire the best minds.
The Promise of Generative AI
Breaking Down Barriers to Knowledge
Generative AI tools—large language models, sophisticated image generators, advanced data analytics suites—are widely touted as democratizing access to information. Platforms powered by GenAI can provide insights on almost any topic: from the basics of quantum physics to advanced code generation for software applications, to specialized medical research. In many cases, users only need a decent internet connection and a paid subscription (sometimes even just a free account, though capabilities may be limited) to explore troves of knowledge once locked behind the doors of universities or specialized research libraries.
The crucial difference is that learning used to require painstaking study over years or decades. Now, GenAI can distill vast volumes of research into approachable summaries in seconds. In principle, this lowers the barrier for a broader segment of society to gain advanced knowledge.
The Potential for Widespread Empowerment
If knowledge is the stepping stone to power, and if that knowledge is now open to many more people than before, it is tempting to conclude that we may be on the verge of a new era of empowerment. With a relatively modest subscription fee, you can prompt an AI model to generate specialized insights. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, and civic leaders might find new ways to solve problems, develop products, or enact policies based on these AI-driven ideas.
From developing new business strategies to analyzing complex geopolitical problems, GenAI can provide a level of counsel once available primarily to the largest corporations and governments. In a best-case scenario, people with relatively limited resources can rapidly scale up their capabilities, bridging gaps in knowledge that previously required expensive training or large research departments.
The Realities That Might Temper This Optimism
The Money Filter
While GenAI does indeed lower certain knowledge barriers, it does not eliminate them entirely. One needs some money for a subscription, a solid internet connection, and in many cases, powerful hardware to make effective use of the technology. If you’re an entrepreneur in a region with limited connectivity or few economic opportunities, accessing the best AI tools could still be out of reach.
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Moreover, high-tier AI subscriptions—those that offer advanced analytics or specialized, domain-specific large language models—can be prohibitively expensive for individuals or smaller enterprises. This “money filter” can create a new kind of barrier, where those who already have sufficient capital can unlock far more potent AI-driven insights, thus amplifying their competitive edge.
Quality of Knowledge vs. Depth of Implementation
“Knowing” something is not the same as “doing” something with that knowledge. One key to turning information into power lies in practical application. Even if GenAI can deliver breakthrough ideas or specialized strategies, an individual or organization needs the financial and logistical infrastructure to implement them effectively.
Running a project, developing a product, testing prototypes, hiring staff, and marketing a solution all require resources. If GenAI produces the blueprint for an incredible new device, but the person who received that blueprint cannot finance its production or secure manufacturing partnerships, the knowledge remains in the realm of ideas rather than action. Hence, without the practical ability to utilize what has been learned, knowledge alone does not necessarily translate to power.
The Influence of Power Structures
Power doesn’t just come from knowledge; it also depends on social, political, and institutional structures. Often, power is exercised through networks, relationships, and the capacity to mobilize influence. Even the best-informed individual might struggle to see ideas come to fruition if they lack political, corporate, or social connections.
In large corporations or government institutions, executive decisions can create or block opportunities. Knowledge gleaned from GenAI is helpful, but if influential players oppose or outcompete you, you may find your path thwarted. In that sense, the existing power frameworks can absorb new knowledge and deploy it in ways that solidify the status quo.
Will GenAI Truly Make Everyone More Powerful?
Yes, in Terms of Access
From a certain angle, yes—it has already begun to do so. Millions of people have used AI-driven services for education, upskilling, career guidance, and creative problem-solving. People who previously found learning barriers insurmountable (perhaps due to language or financial constraints) can now rapidly acquire new skills and insights. This newfound accessibility does create a sense of empowerment.
Creative industries are also being transformed. For instance, small marketing agencies using AI-driven content generation can now produce ads, websites, and branding campaigns at a fraction of the cost. Independent artists employ AI to enhance or scale their creative processes. Students can seek academic help on complex topics instantly, leveling the playing field in educational pursuits.
But Not Equally, and Not Without Caveats
The real question is who gets to translate knowledge into actual power. Despite the democratizing effect of GenAI, disparities remain. High-level research tools, specialized AI models, and integration with proprietary data often remain exclusive to large companies or well-funded entities. Even if a single individual has access to advanced AI, operationalizing that knowledge—turning ideas into products, movements, or negotiations—still demands capital, organizational backing, or political clout.
In some cases, GenAI might even increase inequalities. Major corporations and governments can afford to buy or develop custom AI models far more powerful than those available at a consumer level. In this way, the cycle of “money leads to knowledge, which leads to power” remains intact—just with new, technologically advanced tools.
Societal and Ethical Considerations
There are ethical questions about who controls the AI platforms. If the largest AI models are owned by private enterprises whose main goal is profit, there is an inherent interest in shaping how knowledge is dispensed, or what biases might appear in the AI’s outputs. Regulatory and policy frameworks will likely grow more complicated. So, while individuals gain new tools for learning, they also operate within systems influenced by the agendas and limitations of powerful entities—be they corporations or governments.
Conclusion: A Nuanced Future
The simple formula—“if you have any two of knowledge, money, and power, you’ll inevitably gain the third”—remains a useful lens through which to view society. However, when we apply it to the modern era, Generative AI both reinforces and complicates this principle:
In a world where GenAI tools become increasingly ubiquitous, the long-term outcome will hinge on societal choices, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics. It’s plausible that we could see a new renaissance in innovation if widely accessible AI platforms truly enable creative individuals to shine. Yet, it’s also possible that existing inequalities become magnified. Large entities with capital and influence might keep developing more advanced private AI systems, leaving consumer-level platforms as gateways to only partial or lower-tier knowledge.
Ultimately, does Generative AI make everyone more powerful? To an extent, yes—by expanding horizons of knowledge. But it doesn’t guarantee equal power for all. Implementation challenges, economic filters, and entrenched power structures still come into play. If we want to ensure that broader access to knowledge translates into genuine empowerment, we must look beyond the technology itself and consider how it is funded, regulated, and integrated into economic and political systems. Only then can the promise of a more balanced distribution of knowledge, money, and power truly become a reality.