Power, Profit, and the AI Race

In this episode of ISO Insights, Russell Lawson explores the real story behind the global AI race and what it means for the future of work, power, and control. Moving beyond headlines and hype, the episode traces the origins of today’s AI boom through the contrasting journeys of Sam Altman and Demis Hassabis, and the organisations that now sit at the centre of artificial intelligence development.

From the early ambitions of OpenAI and DeepMind to the commercial pressures imposed by Big Tech, this episode examines how ethical visions for AI collided with profit-driven reality. You’ll hear how transformer models reshaped the technology landscape, why Google hesitated while OpenAI accelerated, and how Microsoft’s investment helped ignite the modern AI arms race.

The episode also digs into the hidden human costs of AI, including data labour, bias in algorithms, and the growing impact on jobs, inequality, and decision-making. It challenges listeners to think critically about who controls AI, how fast it should move, and whether regulation can realistically keep pace with innovation.

This is not a technical deep dive, but a systems-level exploration of AI as a foundational technology that will shape how we work, govern, and live. If you’re interested in the future of work, ethical technology, and how power is shifting in the digital economy, this episode provides essential context and uncomfortable but necessary questions.