AI's PR Problem: Flat Wages, Soaring Capital, and Public Backlash

David at DSHR's Blog argues that AI's public relations problem stems from a fundamental disconnect: while capital owners have captured nearly all productivity gains since 2000, they now expect workers to embrace AI—a technology that threatens jobs, privacy, water resources, and democracy.

Key Data: Flat Wages vs Soaring Capital

Paul Campos reports that median real wages have been flat for 25 years across all education levels:

• High school degree only: $968 (2000) → $980 (2025) in CPI-adjusted dollars
• Bachelor's degree only: $1,587 (2000) → $1,580 (2025)
• Bachelor's degree or higher: $1,705 (2000) → $1,747 (2025)

During the same period, the inflation-adjusted S&P 500 went from $1,394 (Jan 2000) to $6,688 (Sep 2025)—a 380% increase. The post argues stock owners have captured all productivity gains, leaving workers with nothing.

Why the Public Resists AI

The post lists documented harms the public associates with AI:

• Nudifying images, leaking passwords, increasing utility bills
• Consuming water resources, tax breaks for data centers
• Forcing 401Ks into an AI bubble, eventual bailout
• Eliminating jobs, destroying democracy, accelerating global warming
• Encouraging murder/suicide, autonomous drone targeting

The post notes that 49% of Bay Area billboards advertise AI companies, and all ads shown while watching critical videos were from AI companies.

Context: Laws Against Data Centers

This backlash is translating into legislation—laws against data center construction and permitting are passing, and tech CEOs get booed at commencements.