Harari: Capitalism and humanity could go their separate ways
Harari tells XLSemanal capitalism could split from humanity. His AI-without-humans argument divides the forum.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Harari and AI: the capitalism that doesn't need humans
Can capitalism survive when it stops needing consumers? That is the question hanging over the interview Yuval Noah Harari gave to XLSemanal, linked in ABC's digital environment. The meeting —a greenhouse overlooking the Tagus River in Lisbon, according to the piece— serves to address XLSemanal's question about whether the impact of artificial intelligence is comparable to the Industrial Revolution. He is the author of Sapiens, Homo Deus, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. In the thread, it is recalled that Harari himself says his predictions are not certainties, only warnings. In the debate, this nuance is used to call for discussion of his arguments.
What Harari says about AI and the future of capitalism
The scenario cited in the thread is uncomfortable: AI companies that accumulate capital, reinvest it in more AI agents, and operate without a single human in the chain. "This is the moment when capitalism and humanity separate," according to the interview quote included in the thread. In the question included, it is suggested that AI could destroy millions of jobs and make much of human work obsolete.
Why the argument doesn't convince everyone
One participant argues that without consumers there is no capitalism. Henry Ford understood this, according to his argument, when he stopped manufacturing only for the wealthy. Some argue that AI will still need buyers and that capital without humans is a fantasy. Another participant defends that, aside from science fiction prophecies, there are predictions about the future of work that he considers antiestéticasible and that deserve discussion.
From prediction to personal attack
Much of the rejection doesn't engage with the substance. It drifts into personal attacks based on his Jewish origin or sensual orientation. One user claims that it's enough to unplug the device and cut a cable for AI to cease to exist, and gives as an example that, according to him, there was no AI in Spain on April 28, 2025. In the thread, it is recalled that Harari says his predictions are not certainties; several critics respond with personal attacks.
Can capitalism survive when it stops needing consumers? That is the question hanging over the interview Yuval Noah Harari gave to XLSemanal, linked in ABC's digital environment. The meeting —a greenhouse overlooking the Tagus River in Lisbon, according to the piece— serves to address XLSemanal's question about whether the impact of artificial intelligence is comparable to the Industrial Revolution. He is the author of Sapiens, Homo Deus, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. In the thread, it is recalled that Harari himself says his predictions are not certainties, only warnings. In the debate, this nuance is used to call for discussion of his arguments.
What Harari says about AI and the future of capitalism
The scenario cited in the thread is uncomfortable: AI companies that accumulate capital, reinvest it in more AI agents, and operate without a single human in the chain. "This is the moment when capitalism and humanity separate," according to the interview quote included in the thread. In the question included, it is suggested that AI could destroy millions of jobs and make much of human work obsolete.
Why the argument doesn't convince everyone
One participant argues that without consumers there is no capitalism. Henry Ford understood this, according to his argument, when he stopped manufacturing only for the wealthy. Some argue that AI will still need buyers and that capital without humans is a fantasy. Another participant defends that, aside from science fiction prophecies, there are predictions about the future of work that he considers antiestéticasible and that deserve discussion.
From prediction to personal attack
Much of the rejection doesn't engage with the substance. It drifts into personal attacks based on his Jewish origin or sensual orientation. One user claims that it's enough to unplug the device and cut a cable for AI to cease to exist, and gives as an example that, according to him, there was no AI in Spain on April 28, 2025. In the thread, it is recalled that Harari says his predictions are not certainties; several critics respond with personal attacks.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (15 replies).
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