AI Bolsters and Threatens Autocratic Regimes

AI is transforming autocratic governance by enabling real-time monitoring and automating tasks previously handled by humans. This reduces reliance on potentially disloyal subordinates, as seen in China and Russia, where AI systems track officials and replace human roles in propaganda and censorship. However, this shift introduces new vulnerabilities. AI systems require specialized engineers who wield significant influence, creating a small but powerful group that could pose threats to the regime. The illusion of a self-running state is undermined by the need for human oversight, transferring power to a new class of technocrats.