The broader purpose of Proof of Humanity is to explore a fundamental question: as technology becomes increasingly powerful, how do we ensure that progress continues to serve humanity as a whole?
That question is no longer theoretical. Artificial intelligence is advancing at extraordinary speed while communications, space systems, defense technology, robotics, energy, finance and political influence are increasingly interconnected. These developments offer enormous benefits. But they also create concentrations of power that democratic institutions were not designed to oversee.
One development deserves particular attention now.
I call it Private Strategic Power, or PSP.
Private Strategic Power emerges when capabilities that were once largely the province of governments begin to converge within privately controlled companies and networks.
An artificial intelligence company by itself is not a rival to a nation-state. Neither is a satellite company, defense contractor, robotics manufacturer, investment fund or politically connected technology executive.
But the situation changes when these capabilities begin to converge.
A network combining advanced artificial intelligence, global communications, satellites, defense systems, autonomous machines, enormous financial resources and direct access to political leaders may possess something fundamentally different from ordinary corporate power.
It may possess strategic power.
Why This Matters
The concern is not that successful entrepreneurs or technology companies are inherently dangerous. Nor does this project allege that any particular executive or company intends to misuse these capabilities.
The problem is structural.
Societies should not have to depend upon the goodwill, judgment or permanence of a particular billionaire, founder or corporate leadership team when privately controlled systems become important to national security, communications, warfare, economic stability or democratic government.
Responsible institutions must be capable of surviving changes in leadership and ownership.
The reassuring founder of today may not control the organization tomorrow.
That is why the important question is not simply who controls these capabilities now?
It is:
What safeguards should exist when privately controlled capabilities become strategically important to society itself?
Introducing PSP Watch
To begin answering that question, Proof of Humanity is establishing Private Strategic Power Watch — PSP Watch.
PSP Watch will follow developments involving the convergence of:
- artificial intelligence and advanced computing;
- global communications and information systems;
- space and satellite infrastructure;
- defense and intelligence technologies;
- robotics and autonomous systems;
- energy and critical infrastructure;
- concentrated private capital; and
- political access and influence.
The objective is not to create another stream of technology news.
It is to connect developments that are usually reported separately and ask whether, together, they indicate a meaningful change in the distribution of strategic power.
Over time, PSP Watch should become a useful place for readers to stay abreast of these developments without having to follow dozens of separate technology, financial, political and defense publications.
This Should Become a Conversation
I do not want PSP Watch to be simply my analysis.
The larger goal is to develop a community of people willing to examine these questions seriously—including policymakers, researchers, technologists, activists and concerned citizens.
Readers are encouraged to challenge our conclusions, identify developments we have missed, contribute information and propose solutions.
Good arguments should change our thinking. Good evidence should change our conclusions.
Ultimately, the objective is not to oppose technological progress. It is precisely the opposite.
Humanity may be approaching technological capabilities that could dramatically improve human life. We should want that progress to continue.
But extraordinary technological power needs institutions capable of ensuring that its benefits are broadly shared and that strategically important capabilities remain compatible with democratic government, human dignity and the common good.
That is the purpose of Private Strategic Power Watch.
And it is one part of the larger mission of Proof of Humanity: helping ensure that the extraordinary technologies we are creating remain aligned with the interests of all humanity—not simply those fortunate enough to own or control them.
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