Doom and Gloom
This morning was pretty doom-and-gloom on my news feed. Apparently, all the AI people are saying that AI is going to take over. There will be no work.
What is that quote from the movie “Aliens”?
“Game Over Man, Game Over!”
I’m less pessimistic (or more naive).
The reason? I just don’t think people can build as fast as their imaginations.
Here is an AI-generated image to encapsulate this concept.
Over-estimating the short-term
When it comes to predications, there is the saying “we over-estimate the short-term and under-estimate the long-term.”
This is something we have seen during previous technology cycles. Our excitement (and imagination) sees results that seem magical and immediately extrapolates them into their extreme conclusion.
In AI, we are impressed with the results we see and start to attribute them to something beyond the technology – a predictive engine.
Should we be concerned?
I’m not suggesting that everything is sunshine and lolly pops, though.
As an example, the Internet has caused huge issues for society. Some of which are troublesome: shorter attention spans, epidemics of loneliness, and echo chambers that can promote extremism.
These issues are the ones that, rightfully, cause concern and get the majority of attention.
They aren’t the only things that the Internet has given society.
When Technology Goes Right.
We have seen the Internet provide access to opportunities to those who were unable participate in the past. A Doctor can access external expertise through a phone call or Zoom/Teams meeting. We can find more resources (maybe too many sometimes).
The results we see (good or bad) say more about humanity than the technology.
What should we do?
In my opinion (and it’s just another guy on the Internet – make no mistake about that!) is that we should focus out attention on the human aspect of AI adoption.
Controlling the technology is far less effective than supporting the people using it in a way that yields positive results.
This may not always be the easiest path to take – especially when manipulating people can result in economic transfers. It’s no mistake that services such as TikTok focus on reducing your cognitive ability to the point of serving you an advertisement just when you are least able to resist it.
Is the Sky Falling?
Maybe I’m too optimistic or too naive.
There will always be a divide in any community between those who seek to do the best for everyone and those who seek to take personal advantage.
AI isn’t a problem as much as our ability to discern what makes us human and remain so may be.
