what is missing from this is the issue of power. tech companies interpret the rise of AI as empowering management and disempowering workers.

It's the American way to disempower workers. Tech people used to have a moat called expertise and management believes AI has made that obsolete.

Eventually workers in America will need to fight for power, probably through unions. That is the time honored way. There will be a lot of degradation and impoverishment on the way there I think. Fasten your seatbelts.