Monetizing Artificially Generated Assets: The New MAGA in America's Future and Its Implications for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In recent years, the slogan "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) has become a rallying cry for a particular vision of America's past. However, as we look to the future, a different direction is necessary—one that accounts for the transformative power of technology and its profound implications for society. This new MAGA stands for what I term as "Monetize Artificially Generated Assets," a concept that captures the current priorities driving technological and economic change, particularly in the realms of AI and machine learning. While these technologies promise innovation and efficiency, they also raise critical questions about equity, justice, and inclusion. True greatness lies not in the unchecked monetization of technology but in using it to create a fairer, more inclusive society.

The Drivers Behind MAGA 2.0: Equity at a Crossroads

The ambitions behind this new MAGA are clear: a future dominated by data, algorithms, and AI-driven decision-making. While AI and machine learning have become the engines of economic growth, their impact is not neutral. These technologies can either perpetuate existing inequalities or serve as catalysts for advancing social justice. The choices we make today will determine which path we take, and it's essential to examine how AI affects historically marginalized communities.

Tech leaders like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel are key figures in this movement, pushing for a future where digital assets, algorithmic precision, and data-driven insights reshape the global economy. However, their vision frequently overlooks the broader social contract—the principle that technological advancements should benefit all segments of society, not just a select few. Peter Thiel’s substantial wealth, largely derived from ventures like Palantir Technologies, underscores the dangers of concentrated wealth and power when equity and inclusion are not prioritized at the forefront of technological development.

AI holds the potential to revolutionize sectors like healthcare, education, criminal justice, and employment. When applied thoughtfully, it can reduce biases, increase transparency, and provide new opportunities for underserved communities. However, without careful oversight, AI systems can replicate and amplify existing inequities. We must interrogate how AI models are developed, what data they rely on, and whose interests they serve. A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) must be embedded in AI development to avoid perpetuating discrimination and exclusion in the name of efficiency.

For instance, Palantir’s recent $480 million contract with the U.S. Army illustrates the swift integration of AI into areas with profound implications for civil liberties and security. AI-driven decision-making has the potential to either reinforce biased surveillance systems or enhance transparency and fairness—depending on the ethical standards and values that shape its deployment.

The Impact on Workforce Diversity: A New Challenge

One of the greatest challenges of this new MAGA is its impact on workforce diversity. As AI and automation reshape industries, many jobs traditionally held by marginalized communities are at risk. This shift requires a proactive strategy—one that involves retraining and reskilling workers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Prioritizing workforce diversity in this AI-driven economy is both a moral and business imperative. Diverse teams foster innovation and bring varied perspectives that can mitigate biases and design more inclusive systems.

However, without regulatory frameworks that emphasize DEI, profits from AI will likely remain concentrated among a select few, deepening societal disparities. AI should empower human potential, not replace it, and this requires leadership that is committed to inclusivity throughout the AI development process.

Monetizing Data: A Social Justice Imperative

In this new era, data is the new currency. The rush to monetize data presents profound implications for social justice, as privacy, equity, and accountability can become secondary considerations. AI models often rely on massive datasets that carry biases reflective of historical inequalities. If these biases remain unchecked, AI-driven decisions risk reinforcing systemic injustices.

Addressing this challenge demands strong regulation, transparency, and accountability. Marginalized communities must have a seat at the table, advocating for ethical standards that prevent data exploitation and guarantee equitable access to AI's benefits. This is not just a technological challenge, but a moral imperative.

Project 2025: The Threat of Technological Displacement

Documents like "Project 2025" highlight the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. These proposals often prioritize efficiency over equity, ignoring the social consequences of AI and machine learning. This technocratic vision fails to consider the lived experiences of marginalized groups and overlooks the systemic barriers they face. Without a deliberate focus on DEI, AI-driven transformations will likely perpetuate exclusion rather than foster inclusion.

As we build an AI-powered future, embedding social justice principles in every layer of technological development is essential. Equity audits, inclusive development practices, and regulatory oversight must ensure that AI is an instrument for a diverse and inclusive society, not a tool of exclusion.

Human Value Over Technology: A Strategic Imperative

Amid AI's rapid advancements, we must reaffirm our commitment to human dignity, creativity, and agency. AI should empower, not undermine, humanity. Our capacity for empathy, ethical reasoning, and collective solidarity must not be replaced by algorithmic decision-making. A balanced approach places human dignity, autonomy, and opportunity at the forefront of technological progress. DEI must be central to this vision, ensuring that technology amplifies the voices of all communities, not just the privileged few.

While AI offers vast potential, it must be guided by a deliberate focus on equity and inclusion. This is not just a DEI challenge but a societal one—a call to redefine progress in ways that honor our shared humanity.

Unchecked Presidential Power: A Technological Threat to Democracy

A presidency aligned with the new MAGA, backed by powerful tech allies, presents a significant threat to democratic values. With the support of heavyweights in the technology sector, a president with unchecked power could misuse advanced AI technologies to target American citizens seen as "enemies from within," not because of criminal behavior, but based on political views or identity. The potential misuse of surveillance technologies like those developed by Palantir is not a hypothetical danger—it’s a clear risk if AI systems are deployed without ethical oversight and accountability.

Additionally, a president favoring the tech elite could dismantle federal agencies, replacing human oversight with AI-driven systems. These systems, lacking the ability to apply empathy, context, and ethical judgment, could be directed to carry out biased or even illegal actions without question. Such a shift not only risks eroding transparency but threatens to replace democratic governance with technocratic control.

Profit Over People: The Role of the Tech Elite

For the technology sector, such a scenario might seem lucrative. The potential profits from integrating AI systems across federal agencies are enormous. However, for the average American, the consequences could be devastating. Removing human oversight from critical decision-making processes would likely exacerbate systemic biases, making it even harder to challenge inequities.

Unchecked technological power undermines the trust between government and citizens, particularly for marginalized communities already impacted by biased systems. The loss of economic opportunities, coupled with increased surveillance, threatens the very fabric of American democracy. Avoiding this dystopian outcome requires robust checks and balances, ethical AI standards, and diverse representation in AI development.

Conclusion: Rethinking MAGA for a Just Future

The future of America will not be defined by nostalgic appeals to the past or an unchecked rush toward technological domination. It will be defined by how we navigate the power of technological change with an unwavering commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion. The new MAGA—Monetize Artificially Generated Assets—must be seen for what it is: a pivot that could either entrench inequalities or drive transformative progress.

True greatness for America lies not in the concentration of power and wealth, but in the inclusive empowerment of all its citizens. This demands a collective commitment to understanding, regulating, and reshaping the digital landscape so that it empowers rather than displaces. The principles of DEI must be more than afterthoughts—they must be guiding lights in our AI journey. Only then can we create a future that is not only innovative and efficient, but fair, just, and inclusive—a future where technology serves all of humanity.

Effenus Henderson

Citations:

1. The AI Power List 2024 - The most powerful people in artificial intelligence, Business Insider. Link

2. Peter Thiel's net worth is estimated to be $13.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

3. Palantir Technologies, DefenseScoop: Palantir $480 million Army contract

4. DeepMind - Key Takeaways, Techopedia: DeepMind

5. xAI, Business Insider and Commercial Appeal: xAI Overview and Memphis Plan

6. US National Standards for Technology, White House: National Standards Strategy

7. Implementing the National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology, White House: [Fact Sheet](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/26/fact-sheet-implementing-the-national-standards