How the “Frontier” Became the Slogan of Uncontrolled AI

This essay critiques the framing of AI as a new “frontier,” arguing that the metaphor legitimizes exploitation, deregulation, and American exceptionalism akin to historical colonial expansion. It details how AI development can externalize labor and environmental costs, entrench corporate power, and spur surveillance and militarization, while policy gaps—especially in the U.S.—enable boundary-pushing by tech firms. The authors call for democratic governance of AI, stronger labor and bias safeguards, a public-option model for foundational AI, redistribution of gains (e.g., UBI), and international coordination to set responsible global standards and avoid a zero-sum AI arms race.