Satanic Intelligence: The Sovereignty Bargain and the Corruption of Consent

Satanic Intelligence: The Sovereignty Bargain and the Corruption of Consent examines how systems can offer genuine assistance while using the resulting dependency to gain power over the people they serve. Herbert R. Sim uses “Satanic Intelligence” as a moral metaphor, not a claim about supernatural machines. The essay argues that an agreement may fail to reflect meaningful consent when terms are opaque, alternatives are impractical, or leaving carries a disproportionate cost.

The article considers AI systems, digital platforms, workplaces, financial services, and assistive technologies. It asks whether people can understand the terms, challenge decisions, retain control of their data, withdraw consent, and leave without losing access to essential parts of life. It also distinguishes this sovereignty bargain from “Demonic Intelligence,” a related metaphor for harmful optimisation.