«They don’t have intelligence. They have what I call ‘thintelligence’. They see the immediate situation. They think narrowly and they call it ‘being focused.’ They don’t see the surround. They don’t see the consequences»
Malcolm, on the deficiencies of engineers and technicians, in «Jurassic Park» by Michael Crichton
There is a nice xkcd cartoon about giving advice with vs. without Wikipedia:
Given the power of AI, I wonder whether we have seen anything yet.
I mean, you essentially have a very powerful adviser at your side. Give it a few years, and you do not have to think or plan, the AI can do it for you. And given that the AI goes by probabilities, the resulting life might be «comfortable», but probably not uniquely yours. In a way, you would lead the «life most probable», forget about the «path not taken».
Serendipity likely also goes out of the window, as do long-term pursuits that are outside the norm.
As with any socio-technical development, there will be reactance. So, I wonder what the counter-movement will be. Hmm, why not ask ChatGPT: 😉
ChatGPT
Your question highlights a profound socio-technical dilemma: the tension between the convenience and power of AI tools and the potential erosion of individuality, serendipity, and human agency. Here’s a structured assessment of the development and its likely counter-movements:Development: The Growing Role of AI
1. Reliance and Optimization:
– As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it will likely lead to increased reliance on its capabilities for decision-making, planning, and even creative endeavors.
– This reliance will promote lives that are highly optimized for comfort and efficiency—based on aggregated data and probabilities. This may result in:
– Predictable decisions aligned with norms or the “path of least resistance.”
– A reduction in cognitive strain for users who delegate decisions to AI.2. Loss of Uniqueness and Exploration:
– AI’s probabilistic approach might subtly discourage deviations from what is “likely to succeed,” leading to a homogenization of experiences.
– Serendipity—those chance encounters or discoveries that define unique life paths—may diminish as AI prioritizes predictable, data-driven outcomes.
– Long-term pursuits, especially those that don’t align with “efficient” paths, may be neglected as AI tends to favor short-term, measurable gains.3. Psychological and Social Shifts:
– Over time, individuals may experience a loss of agency or feel “disconnected” from their own choices, perceiving their lives as externally shaped.
– This could lead to a broader societal shift in how people view creativity, exploration, and autonomy, potentially devaluing those traits.Counter-Movements:
1. A Return to “Analog” Living:
– Similar to trends like the resurgence of vinyl records or the slow food movement, there may be a cultural shift back to manual, analog experiences as a form of resistance.
– People might intentionally seek out AI-free zones or activities (e.g., hiking without GPS, reading physical books) to reclaim a sense of autonomy and serendipity.2. Celebrating Imperfection:
– Movements might arise that celebrate imperfection and unpredictability, emphasizing the value of flawed, human-driven processes.
– This could manifest in creative fields, with a renewed focus on art, literature, and music that reject AI optimization in favor of raw, human expression.3. Emphasis on Individuality:
– There may be a push for personalization that rejects AI’s tendency toward normativity. This could involve:
– Tools that randomize or “de-optimize” decisions to encourage exploration.
– Philosophical movements advocating for the “path less taken” as a deliberate life strategy.4. Ethical and Regulatory Responses:
– Societies might institute ethical guidelines or policies to ensure AI promotes long-term pursuits, diversity, and serendipity.
– Education systems might evolve to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability as counterweights to AI reliance.5. Hybrid Models of AI Use:
– AI itself might be reimagined as a collaborator, rather than a director. For instance:
– Systems designed to augment rather than replace human decision-making.
– AI tools that intentionally inject randomness or provoke out-of-the-box thinking.The Dialectic: Progress and Reaction
This development-counter-movement dynamic will likely unfold as a dialectic:1. Thesis: Widespread adoption of AI optimizes life for comfort, predictability, and success.
2. Antithesis: Resistance arises, championing human unpredictability, creativity, and autonomy.
3. Synthesis: New paradigms emerge where AI supports but does not dictate human agency, fostering a balance between optimization and exploration.A Glimpse into the Future:
– The interplay between AI’s capabilities and human agency could define a new era of “co-designed lives,” where individuals consciously decide how much to delegate to AI.
– Institutions and cultures might shift to preserve human uniqueness and serendipity, embedding these values into the very fabric of AI design and education.
– Ultimately, the tension between convenience and individuality will be a key driver of societal innovation, pushing humanity to rethink its relationship with technology.Would you like me to explore specific aspects, such as how industries or education might adapt?
The desire for imperfection reminds me a bit of the introduction of mechanical looms and the industrial production of clothes. They were perfect but after a while, there was a desire for hand-made products that weren’t perfect. Of course, there is a difference between a shirt and thoughts. We would wear aunt Mean-Well’s xmas sweater, but would we like to wear her thoughts?
Interesting times. 🙂