Horses Couldn’t Pick a New Reward. People Can.

What happens when AI becomes better and cheaper than us at doing our jobs? Are we destined to lose our livelihoods and our sense of purpose? Travis Gilly challenges the disturbing theory of “gradual disempowerment” and argues that our greatest defence may be something we’ve been taught to neglect.

Travis Gilly

Travis Gilly is Executive Director of the Real Safety AI Foundation, a US nonprofit focused on preventing AI-related harm and advancing disability civil rights. Based on his own experience of disability and caregiving, he challenges assumptions and narratives surrounding technology.

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BE CONSCIOUS?

Can artificial intelligence be conscious? What does the public think about AI consciousness and regulation? Take part in The Critical Loop's international survey. Participation is free, voluntary and can be anonymous. Open until 31 December 2026, with findings published from 11 January 2027.

FROM COCKPITS TO ALGORITHMS: THE AVERAGE HUMAN DOESN'T EXIST. SO WHY ARE WE BUILDING AI FOR ONE?

AI is the first technology that could fit itself to every single person. So why are we using it to rebuild the average? Ricardo Wagner examines the under-utilised power of technology and highlights the 3 things leaders should take back to the office on Monday.

Ricardo Wagner

Ricardo Wagner is a technology executive, strategist and advisor with over 30 years of professional experience, including 25 years in the technology sector.

AI IS SAVING YOUR EMPLOYEES' TIME. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH IT?

Asking how much employee time AI is saving is not enough. Fabio de Oliveira explores three crucial questions that leaders should ask to make AI genuinely transformative.

HOW AI AFFECTS THE PRICE OF CAMERAS AND EVERYTHING ELSE

Dylan Garcia describes the connection between the rising cost of living and AI. In this poignant article, he questions the narratives around progress and benefits.

HAS ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE REACHED GATWICK?

While a flight-processing failure left thousands of passengers stranded, AI claimed a 90-year-old maths breakthrough and was given a 10% chance of causing human extinction. Vânia La Rocca brings these events together to examine the gulf between frontier claims and everyday technology.

ARE WE READY TO BECOME THE BOSSES OF AI AGENTS?

Agentic AI promises to take work off our hands. But if humans must supervise, verify and correct it, are we being freed from work, or trained to manage machines? Dr Fabio de Oliveira examines what happens when efficiency erodes the knowledge needed to judge it.

AI-POCALYPSE NOW: SHIPPED IN BETA VERSION AND WITH A SOUNDTRACK

From the printing press to AI, Ronise Nepomuceno takes us on a witty journey through the history of communication to argue that Artificial Intelligence is not just technology but another medium of communication in need of regulation.

Ronise Nepomuceno

Ronise Nepomuceno is the founder and editor of The Critical Loop. Her career spans journalism, independent publishing and more than 25 years in technology, with a particular focus on digital transformation, responsible innovation and the relationship between technology and society.

Dylan Garcia

Dylan Garcia is an acclaimed fine art photographer and visual artist whose atmospheric work brings landscape, mythology and the climate crisis into compelling conversation.

Claret Christensen

Antonia Claret Soares Christensen is a Brazilian journalist with experience in communications consultancy. She is also a specialist in cultural management. Claret became a translator following her work on international projects since 2004 and her relocation to Denmark in 2010.

WILL AI REPLACE TRANSLATORS?

Claret Christensen traces the translation’s journey from an ancient bridge between cultures to an AI-assisted industry where experienced linguists face falling rates, insecure work and a troubling contradiction.