[visarga]

Your perspective seems right, relative to the status quo. But, in time, fair algorithms could be put in use by open source and creative commons to empower regular people. Today it is easy to fork or extend a system, even an AI system. Data can be collected by offering services. I don't think a few companies could hold AI hostage, especially because the practice is to share and because the entry barrier is low with regards to computer power.

[paulryanrogers]

If humans write the algorithms then all the subconscious bias of their authors will still influence them.

Algorithms are not holy. Nor is data.