#173 - Liberman - We’re Training AI to Get Rid Of Us

In this three-part episode of The Peter McCormack Show, Peter McCormack engages in a profound and urgent conversation with guest Daniel Liberman about the existential risks posed by centralized AI development. They warn that if AI infrastructure remains in the hands of a few corporations or governments, humanity could face a new era of invisible slavery—where manipulation is embedded in every digital interaction, freedom is eroded without awareness, and economic inequality accelerates. Liberman introduces Bonka, a decentralized, open-source AI network powered by proof-of-work mining, as a countermeasure to this trend, drawing inspiration from Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos. He highlights the growing signs of centralization—such as GPU scarcity, closed rollouts of open-source models, and sudden access restrictions by companies like OpenAI—and predicts a two-tier AI future within 1–2 years, where only elites have access to frontier models. The episode underscores the danger of AI’s recursive self-improvement cycle, which could enable giants like Google to monopolize app ecosystems by rewriting software autonomously, eliminating third-party developers and capturing all revenue. Despite the gravity of the situation, the tone remains cautiously optimistic. Liberman stresses that decentralized principles—permissionless access, community coordination, and distributed ownership—can be applied to AI to create a fairer, more resilient system. He calls for a 'Satoshi of AI' movement: a mission-driven, non-profit effort to build a future where superintelligence is accessible to all, not just the powerful. The conversation also touches on the emotional toll of confronting these existential threats, with Liberman sharing his personal struggles with depression. Ultimately, the episode serves as both a wake-up call and a blueprint for action, arguing that while centralized AI has been necessary for progress, it is unsustainable and ethically problematic. A coordinated global effort to build a Bitcoin-based, decentralized AI infrastructure could still redirect the trajectory before it’s too late.