Part 2 - AI and the A.T.O.M: The Arms Race of Information - Harnessing Speed Without the Blast

In Part 1 of AI and the A.T.O.M., we explored the parallels between AI and the nuclear age - two groundbreaking technological leaps with immense potential and inherent risks. Just as nuclear energy required structured governance to harness its power safely, AI demands a strategic approach to prevent unintended consequences. The Artificial Technologies Operational Methodology (A.T.O.M.) provides a framework to balance innovation and oversight, ensuring AI serves as a force for progress rather than chaos.

Now, in Part 2, we dive into how information and speed have become the new arms race -and why businesses must ensure AI creates a productive buzz rather than a destructive bang in the modern workplace.

The Power of Information and Knowledge

From my experience I believe there are 4 key things that are important to understand about the power of information and Knowledge;

1 - Strategy at its core is about leveraging information - whether intellectual property, data analysis, or informed estimates - to drive growth and success.

2 - Information and knowledge will always be an advantage - those who are informed will always have the upper hand for example;

• Robodebt Scandal (2016-2020, Australia) - The Australian government used flawed AI-driven debt collection, while citizens lacked critical information to challenge false claims, leading to wrongful financial hardship and a $1.8 billion settlement.
• Brexit Referendum (2016, UK) - The Vote Leave campaign used targeted data analytics to sway public opinion, giving them a strategic advantage.

3 - Predicting the future is far easier when working with a clear and structured model.

• An example of this not being the case is the increase in unprecedented events within the economy not being able to be compensated for with current economic models. The 2008 financial crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and rapid technological advancements—all within the span of a decade. Has lead to it being almost impossible for economists to make highly accurate forecasts.
• Jared Bernstein, Washington Post (7/5/2018), stated: "Economists can't tell you when the next downturn is coming [...]. Expansions don't die of old age: They're murdered by bubbles, central-bank mistakes or some unforeseen shock to the economy's supply (e.g., energy price spike, credit disruption) and/or demand slide (e.g., income/wealth losses)."

4 - It is human nature to seek understanding, to want to know what is happening

The Three Pillars of Information Utility

Traditionally, information has been valued based on two primary factors:

1- Speed - How quickly information is generated and how long it takes before it becomes general knowledge.

2- Quality - The accuracy, relevance, and trust in the process of information generation.

However, with the rise of AI, a third factor has emerged: 3. Relational Association - The ability to link information in ways that provide deeper insights, connections, and contextual understanding.

The Power of an Informed Minority

To illustrate the dangers and advantages of information asymmetry, consider a psychological study by Russian psychologist Dimitry Davidoff (1986) that examines deception, trust-building, and strategic manipulation:

• A game scenario involves a large group of villagers with a few hidden werewolves.
• Each round, the werewolves secretly eliminate villagers, while the remaining players must determine who among them is a werewolf.
• The uninformed majority (villagers) frequently make poor decisions, leading to their own elimination, while the informed minority (werewolves) manipulate outcomes.

This study highlights how a small, well-informed group can systematically out manoeuvre a larger, uninformed majority, showcasing the power and potential danger of information asymmetry.

AI’s Role in the Information Arms Race

The introduction of Large Language Models (LLMs) and relational neural networks (RNNs) has revolutionised how we process and utilise information:

• RNNs extend beyond basic neural networks by inferring relationships between different entities, improving logical reasoning and contextual understanding.
• Unlike humans, AI does not tire, require rest, or operate under ethical limitations unless explicitly programmed to do so.
• AI accelerates the value of information by improving not just its speed and quality, but also its relational depth, making it exponentially more powerful.

The Capitalist Impact: Information as a Competitive Advantage

The economic implications of this transformation are profound:

• The wealthiest 1% of the population owns 43% of the world’s assets.
• AI has the potential to further concentrate power by disproportionately enhancing the strategic advantage of those who already have access to superior information.
• This could lead to an unintended hyper-concentration of influence, shifting economic and social dynamics in unprecedented ways.

Capitalism vs. The Democratisation of AI

To understand the stakes, we must consider how AI impacts capitalist structures:

• Capitalism thrives on private ownership, free markets, and competition, with success driven by strategic use of information.
• The ability to gather, process, and relationally associate information now provides an unparalleled competitive edge.
• This explains the allure of AI - businesses that fail to adopt AI will struggle to compete against those that leverage it effectively.

Striking the Balance: A Framework for Ethical AI Deployment

To ensure AI serves both capitalism and societal progress, we must adopt a balanced framework:

1 - Regulated Access - AI models should be accessible to businesses of all sizes to prevent monopolistic control.

2 - Transparency & Accountability - AI systems must disclose how they process and generate information to prevent manipulation and misinformation.

3 - Education & AI Literacy - Society must be equipped with the skills to critically assess AI-generated data and its implications.

4 - Ethical Implementation - AI should be designed with safeguards that align with both corporate objectives and broader societal well-being.

Call to Action: Where Do We Go from Here?

The race for AI-driven information dominance is well underway. The question isn’t if AI will redefine business strategy, but how we ensure it remains a force for economic growth without exacerbating inequality.

• For business leaders: Invest in AI literacy and ensure that AI-generated insights align with strategic goals without sacrificing transparency. ?
• For policymakers: Develop regulations that encourage AI innovation while safeguarding against monopolisation and misuse. ?
• For individuals: Stay informed and critically assess the role of AI in shaping decision-making processes in your workplace and society.

AI has transformed information into one of the most powerful assets in modern business. With the speed, quality, and relational intelligence of AI-powered information processing, businesses and individuals must recognise that we are amid an information arms race.

The challenge now is ensuring that AI remains a productive force for good rather than a tool for unchecked concentration of power. The balance between capitalist innovation and the democratisation of AI will define the future of business, technology, and society itself.

Next Article

In Part 3, we will explore how businesses can implement A.T.O.M. strategies to leverage AI responsibly while maintaining competitive integrity and ethical responsibility in an increasingly AI-driven world.