I keep seeing a ruler/god AI, but I honestly don't see it happening. At best we get a machine body with a disembodied spirit possessing it, which I guess you could argue is what AI actually is.
It doesn't need to be a true A.I.
They can just copy the concept of a man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz.
Everything can be blamed on the A.I., while they rule from the shadows.
An unelected A.I.
You can't vote it out of office (elections have always been fake).
A.I. won't give a shit if you protest against it.
No mercy or empathy.
Ruthless efficiency.
If they do a good enough job programming it, the A.I. will be able to babysit us, while our rulers spend most of their time partying, relaxing, fucking and eating children, and murdering people in their gay and lame rituals.
If done correctly, the A.I. will eventually need very little input from our true rulers.
It will probably still need some occasional course corrections and input, but it's going to free up a huge amount of free time from our rulers.
And not just time.
Our rulers won't need to employ as many actors to play the role of our fake rulers in their place.
The A.I. is going to eliminate more jobs than anyone can comprehend.
And not just at the low and middle levels of society.
A lot of the upper class are going to see their positions eliminated.
All of your other takes are based and spot on.