MACMILLAN Artificial Intelligence: A Classical Liberal Approach (Palgrave Studies in Classical Liberalism)

This book presents a classical liberal perspective on the governance and economic implications of artificial intelligence. As generative AI transforms industries and institutions, this book reframes urgent debates on safety, regulation, labour, and autonomy through the lens of classical liberal economic and political philosophy. Drawing on Austrian economics, liberal growth theory, and institutional economics, this book argues that classical liberalism and its philosophical framework has not only historically inspired the design of artificial intelligence but also remains a critical guide for its future development and application. From neural networks as emergent orders to AI agents as capital goods, the book explores how liberal principles can guide innovation, mitigate risk, and preserve individual rights. Chapters examine interpretability, the future of work, open-source commons, and the calculation debate, engaging with theorists such as Hayek, Kirzner, Simon, and Schumpeter. The book proposes polycentric governance models for AI safety and rights protection, emphasizing pluralism, contestability, and due process over precautionary control. This book will be an essential resource for scholars in political economy, law and economics, technology policy, and digital governance. It will also appeal to a broader readership interested in academically rigorous, liberal approaches to the challenges and opportunities of the intelligence explosion.