Negative sir, that's NOT the basis for his thesis. He is simply providing an anecdote from American culture that has the common theme of anti-science/anti-technology sentiment. This whole "fear of an evil AI" is from people that have no clue what artificial intelligence is whatsoever. I think he is spot on that we are not in a scientific or technological age. Just look at the COVID response in America, how the Lt. Governor of Texas said - "There are more important things than living." .... he meant the economy. The entire concern this WHOLE time is not lives or people but money and business and jobs. Companies are forcing people to risk themselves because they don't want to lose out on any profits.

When you separate out those problems, you realise it's not a science or technology issue, it's cultural and societal issue.

I agree and that's exactly what he is saying too. The societal and cultural mentality, our common ethos, our shared sense of values is the root cause FOR anti-science and anti-tech sentiments. He's not beating you over the head with it but it's there. He's in no way saying the issue is science or technology but rather the cultural perception of them.