A recurring figure in American popular culture, particularly in periods of rapid economic and technological change, is the “prophetic CEO.” These larger-than-life figures seemingly have their finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist and offer sweeping prescriptions on how to address them.

We are presently living in the age of artificial intelligence, and some Americans fear not just its implications for employment, but its ramifications for society and the systems that underpin it. Recently, a CEO prophet for the AI age has risen. His communique to the public is simple: Your fears are fully justified.