In a recent interview, MIT research scientist Andrew Lo cautioned that AI will confer such overwhelming advantages to leading firms that their dominance could become insurmountable almost overnight.

The Great Acceleration

Lo believes the economics community underestimates the imminence and severity of AI-fueled consolidation of power and profits.

Within 5-10 years, machine learning will enable top companies in sectors from tech to pharmaceuticals to achieve monopolistic control of their markets.

AI will confer such extreme competitive edge that laggard firms stand no chance of catching up. The leading AI "haves" will capture the lion's share of rewards.

Deep Pockets, Deep Learning

The keys to AI supremacy will be talent, computing power, and copious data. Tech giants boast unrivaled resources in all three areas.

With billions available for hiring top researchers and building bleeding-edge computing infrastructure, Big Tech appears poised to dominate the AI landscape.

Lesser firms simply can't marshal the financial firepower needed to play AI catch-up at this point. They could become fatally disadvantaged.

Reducing Inequality Risks

To avert a severe AI-fueled rise in inequality, Lo suggests constructing public AI utilities and datasets.

Putting robust machine learning capabilities in the public domain levels the playing field and promotes healthy competition.

Antitrust action may also be warranted to curb overconsolidation among companies leveraging AI for supra-competitive advantages.

Conclusion: Preparing for AI's Turbulent Takeoff

AI's potential dark side as an accelerant of inequality calls for judicious policies to ensure a fair distribution of economic gains.

By taking prudent steps now, we can maximize AI's benefits while minimizing market turbulence as this transformative technology matures.