[GeoAtreides]

>we don't have a fictional vision of the future to use as a goal.

yes we do, it's called The Culture by Iain M Banks.

It's a series of books, and it's not easy-web-novels reading, so in the grand scheme of things is pretty niche

[weregiraffe]

Yeah, The Culture, where the real powers are AI. Very niche, just as Yudkowski...

[HelloMcFly]

Optimistic scifi properties:

* The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (+ sequels)

* Monk & Robot by Becky Chambers (+ sequel)

* Most of, but not all of, Star Trek. This is getting infected with cynicism in some places, but still largely optimistic about a utopian future.

* The Martian by Andy Weir

* For All Mankind on Apple TV+

* Arrival movie

That's what I can think of since the 90s. Doubt it's a complete list, but really Becky Chambers is the optimistic voice in the domain, primarily since she focuses her works on interpersonal vs. galactic or societal dynamics.

[GeoAtreides]

you can always split away from the Culture and go on without the Minds, if you so desire.

[Animats]

That's a long way off.

What's going to be interesting near term is when AI management outperforms human management. The dynamics of capitalism then demand that AI be in charge. Marshall Brain's "Manna" is the classic in this area.