[lukev]

This is a valid point. However, the conclusion depends on the fact that the people in power have the information and wisdom to make the choices required stay in power. Which has been mostly true (so far) in US history.

Historically this has very much not always been the case (citation: any revolution)

But "oppressive power", via information control or military/police control is also a factor. If AI is able to give the ruling incumbents more power, that shifts the equilibrium between popular sentiment and people in power.