Jill Lepore on the ‘Artificial State’ and Why Tech’s Leaders Misread Sci-Fi

Historian Jill Lepore argues that Silicon Valley’s leaders are building an “artificial state” that mimics and undermines democratic governance, a thesis she explores in her upcoming book, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State. In a recent episode of the Equity podcast, Lepore spoke with editor Anthony Ha about how tech companies—from Twitter to Anthropic—adopt the language of government while often misreading the science fiction that warned of such futures.

The ‘Artificial State’ Thesis

Lepore, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard historian and New Yorker writer, contends that tech firms are gradually assuming functions traditionally held by democratic institutions. She points to Twitter’s old “town hall in your pocket” slogan and Anthropic’s “Claude constitution” as examples of companies framing their products as political entities. According to Lepore, these moves often mistake technological advancement for political progress, and some leaders have openly declared intentions to replace the nation-state.

This trend, she argues, is not new. The 1984 Macintosh ad, which cast Apple as a liberator from IBM’s “Big Brother,” laid the groundwork for today’s AI constitutions and proposals like Sam Altman’s idea of an “AI president.” Lepore sees a direct line from that marketing to current efforts to embed governance into code.

Why Tech Leaders Are ‘Bad Sci-Fi Readers’

Lepore suggests that many tech leaders misread the science fiction that inspires them. She highlights E.M. Forster’s 1909 story “The Machine Stops,” which depicts a future where humanity lives underground, dependent on a global machine that eventually fails. Lepore says the story now reads like “the diary of a very unhappy YouTuber,” a cautionary tale about isolation and reliance on technology—themes that resonate with today’s platform-driven society.

Rather than heeding such warnings, many in Silicon Valley embrace a utopian vision where AI makes government more efficient—or even unnecessary. Lepore argues this is an old fantasy repackaged, one that ignores the messy realities of governance, accountability, and human rights.

Implications for Democracy and Tech Regulation

The rise of the artificial state, Lepore contends, is ultimately unsustainable. She believes that without intervention, these private governments will face crises of legitimacy, much like the nation-states they seek to replace. Reinventing the artificial state, she suggests, would require a reassertion of democratic oversight, possibly through regulation and public pressure.

For readers, the key takeaway is that the language tech companies use matters. When platforms call themselves “town squares” or “constitutions,” they shape public expectations and obscure their profit motives. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for anyone navigating the digital public sphere.

Conclusion

Jill Lepore’s critique offers a timely lens on the intersection of technology and governance. As AI continues to integrate into daily life, her work reminds us that the promises of efficiency and progress must be weighed against democratic values. The full episode of Equity is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

FAQs

Q1: What is the “artificial state” according to Jill Lepore?
Lepore defines it as the growing tendency of tech companies to adopt functions and language traditionally associated with democratic governments, such as providing public spaces or creating constitutions, without democratic accountability.

Q2: Why does Lepore say tech leaders are bad sci-fi readers?
She argues they often cherry-pick utopian elements from science fiction while ignoring dystopian warnings, like those in E.M. Forster’s “The Machine Stops,” which foreshadow the risks of over-reliance on technology.

Q3: What does Lepore think can rein in the artificial state?
She suggests that democratic oversight, including regulation and public engagement, is necessary to hold these private entities accountable and prevent them from undermining democratic institutions.