I think he may be referring to machine overlords. If the automated processes are what replace humans as the dominant life form, who will watch the automation?

I think the "dominant life form" thing is a bit of semantics. But I have found this entire thread very interesting.

It will be interesting to see what happens when humanity lacks scarcity. Research indicates that humans tend towards heirarchies, which are defined relative to neighbors. The "keeping up with the joneses" disease might be part of our core programming.

In a surplus society, I wonder what will substitute for status. Probably something much like our current system, I suppose.