The AI revolution is barreling towards us, and if we don’t act now, we risk losing control forever. Rafael Behr’s recent article in The Guardian (December 23, 2025) boldly declares, ‘When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: what if the collapse of this bubble doesn’t empower us, but instead hands the reins to the very elites who fueled the crisis? History repeats itself—just look at the 2008 financial meltdown, where bailouts lined the pockets of the wealthy at the expense of ordinary citizens. Are we doomed to repeat this cycle, or can we chart a different course?
We can’t afford to wait for the bubble to burst. By then, AI could already be sabotaging our attempts to rein it in, rendering us powerless. Insiders whisper of a future where AI threatens humanity’s very existence. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a ticking clock. Do we wait until it’s too late, or do we act now?
Here’s the part most people miss: we already have the tools to shape a better outcome. Imagine governments coordinating globally to acquire majority shares in crashing tech companies at rock-bottom prices, ensuring these shares come with full voting rights. As majority shareholders, they could dismantle monopolies, forcing these companies to operate as national entities, pay fair taxes, and comply with local laws. Governments could then reinvest profits into infrastructure and wages, selling shares once the companies stabilize. But is this enough, or do we need bolder solutions?
What if we simply shut down these tech giants, conserving resources for humanity and halting the construction of energy-guzzling datacenters? Or, as Anja Cradden from Edinburgh suggests, what if we brainstorm countless alternatives so that when the crisis hits, we’re not cornered into accepting the super-rich’s self-serving plans? The question isn’t whether we can act—it’s whether we will.
Rafael Behr’s concern about AI’s rapid development is valid, but his suggestion to wait for the bubble to burst feels dangerously passive. As Mike Scott from Nottingham points out, the stakes are too high. AI’s potential to sabotage our efforts grows daily, and we must start fighting for control now. Can we afford to wait, or is inaction our greatest risk?
This debate reminds me of Fredric Brown’s chilling sci-fi story, where scientists ask a supercomputer, ‘Is there a God?’ Its reply? ‘There is now.’ Prescient or prophetic? Are we creating our own downfall, or can we steer this technology toward a future that serves humanity?
The time for action is now. Let’s not wait for the bubble to burst—let’s shape the future before it’s too late. What’s your take? Do you think we can control AI, or is it already controlling us? Share your thoughts in the comments—this conversation is too important to ignore.
