True. I'm hoping for the same scenario (for some reason I hadn't thought about including it in my "analysis" above XS) Combining the augmented processing speed of AI with basic human creativity and drive could lead, in a round-about way, to the "general AI" grail they've been seeking much sooner than if they just focused on working on it themselves (since they would then have to --if they had brains-- implement a ton of off switches and hard-coded deactivation elements everywhere to avoid it going out of control).
Yes. We need to find a way to, if not distribute wealth equally, make wealth distribution a moot point when it comes to feeding, housing and clothing oneself.
I wonder if someone, somewhere, is working on an AI to analyze the entire capitalist market and wealth distribution and try to figure out how to distribute wealth more equally ?
There's no reason neural networks can't achieve human creativity, and indeed, a far advanced form of creativity that we probably cannot imagine. Already, AlphaGo has beaten the best Go players in the world - a game based purely on imagination, unlike chess. And yes, we are just getting started! So, human brains are basically useless and obsolete within the next few decades unless we get some help from AI.
As for politics, AI could potentially be an objective voice in determining what's best for our species. Maybe an advanced form of UBI that'd best allocate resources optimally. I don't think this will happen though, the world is too full of human supremacists to ever agree over such a policy. That said, a country progressive enough to elect in a government heavily using AI to influence their policies would have such a massive competitive advantage that the other countries will be forced to adopt.