If digital space is a vehicle for the social milieu of the modern world, then AI is arguably its engine. Technology has always been the indelible force of human progress and civilization. While it can not be undone, it can always be trained in a way that benefits Human capacity and progress.
Natural intelligence encompasses self-awareness, intelligence, and consciousness/intention. The Human cognitive process is threaded by these three elements. AI mimics humans' cognitive capacity but not their subjective experience. The gap between natural intelligence and artificial intelligence is the subjective experience of humans. Let it remain subjective to preserve natural intelligence.
Machines have always been the friends of Humans. The symbiotic relationship between human and non-human capacity gives rise to the unthinkable humans have achieved. But machines are machines they do not have emotions like humans; so technology always leads us to a battle of "innovation" vis-a-vis "dilemma".
Data is the new gold. Data is generated through connectivity. AI feeds on data, trained by data-- improves the efficiency of systems, unlocks new potentials, and fosters innovation; algorithmic recommendations make it customizable, and tailored to specific needs. But then again we have the profound dilemma of algorithmic determinism.
Technology mediates our "being-in-the-world," reducing authentic existence to a series of clickable interactions-- Heidegger
Technology like AI in the process of augmenting human capacity to solve complex problems has gone overboard. It has come to a point where it blurs the distinction between man and machine. It's really difficult to identify for a common man whether a social media platform is denominated with bots or human agencies. The curated eco-chamber powered by AI creates digital personas and feeds content to make money.
In the digital era, social media has become the primary source of information. When AI is deployed as a tool to engineer an info-demic(or misinformation) suited to vested interests, then the human agency should resist such an algorithmic determinism.
Social media, AI have democratized access to information. And perhaps this is the best-ever achievement of digital space which disrupted the mainstream media and decentralized it where a myriad of outlets are available to access information.
Similarly Gig economy thrives on social media. However, AI has emerged as a potent force that could wipe out livelihoods with algorithmic change or algorithmic bias. Now that brings us to the point who controls the algorithm?
Even though community-driven networks like Hive exist, even though open-source-AI exists, the big tech still controls the data, algorithm. So unless data is decentralized, we can not make AI decentralized. Let that sink in. That is why you should feed as much data as possible into Hive Blockchain or any community-governed Blockchain like Hive.
I strongly feel that Gen Z is suffering from peer pressure and FOMO more than any other generation. And this FOMO and peer pressure has become a disease. Unfortunately, AI fuels this FOMO and peer pressure. In Instagram, Facebook, X, etc, when sensational stories of personal growth, travel experiences, and photos, etc are published it creates a sense of missing out on other peers, and an AI-powered algorithm pushes such content up the trending stories/content. That leads to an emotional void and creates additional pressure to stay relevant in the digitally curated lifestyles amplified by AI.
Society is divided into emotional biases and ideological silos, we need just enough truth or for that matter just a headline into our fable to perceive it as truth. AI spreads such sensationalism and by the time it delves into nuances, the damage is already done. So polarization is real in an AI-powered world. Therefore prudent users of digital space are now burdened to upskill themselves to filter signals from noise. It has raised the bar from "just consuming information" to "always-verify and then consume it" approach.
I have a feeling that those who are either less educated or even if educated lack digital literacy. In a country like India where digital penetration may be high and rising, but digital literacy lacks particularly among the rural populace, AI will only amplify division and result in a fragmented society. Because the new generations can seamlessly adopt AI tools whereas the less educated and older generations might struggle to interface with AI. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the speed of AI itself is so fast that it could easily outpace the ability of the older generations to reskill or upskill. Put simply AI is something where only agile and young prospers.
While AI has so many promises for the greater good of human capacity and progress, it needs to be trained and moderated for adaptability, equity ,and ability to address ethical dilemmas so that it does not lead mankind to a dystopia. The potential of AI should be qualified by inclusivity, commitment to mankind, and subservient to mankind.
Thank you.
This article has been published in response to the Weekly Prompt by
