This episode explores the transition to a humanless economy. From autonomous factories in Indiana to the risks of recursive self-improvement, the panel examines what happens when AI takes the lead.
In the latest episode of Warning Shots, host John Sherman is joined by Michael of Lethal Intelligence and Lon of Doom Debates to confront a stark vision of the future: a world where humans are no longer the primary actors in the economy. The panel explores the rise of "dark factories," the displacement of creative professions, and the troubling reality of humans being forced into "backfilling" roles for machines.
The discussion highlights a provocative new development in manufacturing: the "dark factory". Michael points to a recently unveiled fully autonomous smart factory by Xiaomi that can produce one smartphone every second without a single human on the floor .
According to the panel, these facilities are not just automated; they are autonomous, capable of learning, adapting, and even repairing themselves in real time . Experts warn that these environments are purposefully designed to be "incompatible with humans" . Because robots do not require light, air conditioning, or oxygen, these factories can operate in total darkness at temperatures exceeding 130 degrees, often surrounded by toxic chemicals that do not affect machines . The guests suggest this may foreshadow a future where large portions of the Earth's surface are optimized for AI rather than human life.
The episode features a "gut-wrenching" story from a New York Times article about a copywriter whose career was upended by AI. After 25 years in the industry, the writer turned to ChatGPT for career advice . The AI suggested he buy a chainsaw and start a tree-trimming business, a role it deemed a "perfect match" for his remaining skills .
The guest notes the deep irony: while the AI was "trying to help" and the business was initially successful, the writer eventually suffered a physical injury, leading to the same cycle of pain and opioid struggle that had decimated the manufacturing neighbors he once wrote about . This story serves as a reminder that the transition from white-collar "creative" work to manual labor is already happening .
While some economists argue that humans will always find "pockets" of work due to comparative advantage, the panel remains skeptical . Lon describes a future where humans may only find employment "backfilling" the tasks AI finds too difficult or "can't be bothered" to do.
The guests argue that in these scenarios, humans essentially become "the robot". They envision contractors wearing AI-powered headsets, with algorithms dictating every move-telling the human exactly where to screw a pipe or cut a branch . In this vision, human agency is replaced by mechanical execution directed by a superior digital brain.
Beyond individual jobs, the panel warns of the geopolitical risks of recursive self-improvement. Michael explains that once robots can make other robots, the speed of scaling becomes exponential .
According to the discussion, this could allow small groups or "rich individuals" to create massive artificial armies out of thin air, bypassing traditional national demographics or leverage . When manufacturing and supply chains no longer require human consent or labor, the "rule of law" that governs our society faces an unprecedented challenge
The AI Risk Network team