AI as Infrastructure
摘要
This chapter examines how artificial intelligence (AI) fits within existing economic classifications, arguing that it functions more like a club good than a public good. While AI is often described as non-rivalrous and broadly accessible, real-world constraints create clear boundaries around who can benefit. The chapter analyzes AI’s effects on human development, environmental impact, and dependence on stable infrastructure, highlighting the complexity of its classification for policy discussions. By comparing evolving governance models, energy dependencies, ethical considerations, and future technological trends, the chapter argues that AI aligns more closely with the characteristics of critical infrastructure and should be treated as a club good rather than a public one. This entry has implications for policymakers, businesses, and researchers seeking to understand the distributional, ethical, and regulatory challenges associated with AI, as well as guiding new technology regulation.