As I observe the rapid technological stratification of society, I find myself considering what this means for future generations, including my infant son. What kind of technological landscape will they inherit?

The New Class System: Digital Haves and Have-Nots

The contrast in how people interact with technology has become increasingly evident. Some customers navigate Amazon Go stores without stopping at checkout—their digital profiles and payment methods seamlessly integrated into the experience. Meanwhile, others wait in traditional checkout lines, sometimes struggling with basic payment methods, unable to access the conveniences that have become second nature to the digitally privileged.
This division will likely intensify, creating sharper boundaries between those who can effortlessly navigate AI-enhanced services and those left struggling with increasingly obsolete interfaces.

The Financial Barriers That Reinforce Inequality

The credit system creates what economists accurately term a "poverty premium," where financial services become more expensive for those with less money. This manifests in higher interest rates, inability to qualify for mortgages, and limited access to favorable credit terms.

This financial stratification reproduces and amplifies existing class divisions. For the affluent, debt functions as a wealth-building tool through favorable mortgage terms and investment opportunities. For the economically vulnerable, it becomes an extraction mechanism through high interest rates, fees, and penalties.

Time: The Ultimate Luxury in the Convenience Economy

The ability to purchase time through convenience services represents a profound form of privilege. When someone skips a line through Uber Eats pick up or orders delivery instead of shopping in person, they participate in a system that assigns different values to different people's time. The 20 minutes "saved" by ordering boba tea for pickup means someone else—often someone with less economic leverage—waits in line instead. This differential valuation of time reinforces class distinctions in subtle but pervasive ways.

The AI Future That Threatens Equal Opportunity

The AI revolution presents perhaps the most significant frontier of technological stratification. Two divergent futures are emerging:

In one scenario, individuals become proficient in AI collaboration, gaining access to cutting-edge models and developing expertise in effective prompting and tool use. Their AI literacy becomes a form of power—allowing them to delegate routine tasks while focusing on uniquely human contributions.

In the alternative scenario, individuals find themselves competing against AI systems rather than working with them. Without access to advanced tools or training in effective utilization, they struggle to demonstrate value in a workforce where machines handle increasingly complex tasks. Their role becomes one of servicing the AI economy rather than directing it.

Will public education adapt quickly enough? Will we create equitable pathways into AI literacy, or will it become another mechanism of privilege?