When AI becomes the enemy

Last year, one of the main topics people talked about was ChatGPT, about how students and creative people might use it to do the work for them. Then followed the parental and political revolt against social media and smart phones for kids.

The very technology people embraced because of the efficiency and convenience it provided in our daily lives has slowly but surely become the enemy. A New York court gave a judgment against Meta for “addictive content.”

Meanwhile, several countries are passing laws prohibiting smart phones for minors, especially in schools, while academics and members of media are exposing the imbedded political, gender and religious bias in several AI programs.

Is it just a case of imposing safeguards or moderation for use of AI, IT technology and smart phones or is there more? We used to be impressed with the “predictive” features or response of Alexa or Siri and how it thinks for us when in a rush or in planning activities.

But lately, I’m not too sure about it.

Have you ever had the impression or actual experience that your phone is eavesdropping on you? Have you heard the hair-raising, chilling sound of a “woman” saying “yes?” on your phone when you were calling somebody in the next room?

I DON’T use Alexa or Siri, but it seems and feels like I no longer have a choice in the matter. Our phones, computers or any IT-related equipment is sucking up all our activities online and suggesting our next move.

You might call it algorithm but how does my phone even know I’m at the airport with no prior notification or planning on buying a specific equipment before I even Googled or used search engines?

The pioneers and founding engineers of AI have repented what they helped create and have been trying to warn people that AI will do more harm than good.

The AI upgrades on military weaponry, while impressive to watch in the movies, is frightening when you see the face of actual soldiers in the battlefields around the world realizing a drone is about to kill them.

Last week, I messaged an online seller or small company to inquire about their products and I immediately received detailed information on the length/width/height and material three items were made of, as well as prices for each item.

Their reply was instantaneous, clear, no asking silly questions like where will you use it or where are you located, or I have to check if we have it in stock, or can I get back to you on this tomorrow.

Then they sent me their exact location, address and recommended to make an appointment, or if I would be making a purchase to inform them in advance so that the items could be produced for me.

Then they asked if I wanted to make an order.

Normally, when you say “No,” you immediately sense tension and disappointment from the other end because of the unfulfilled transaction. But in this case, I did not feel any of it.

All this happened in minutes, no pressure selling or holding back on information, all very casual and it was a very pleasant experience from start to finish. I shortly discovered I was communicating with a “Bot” selling me garden decorations!

I experienced the complete opposite when I called a human seller to inquire about products he was selling on FB Marketplace. I had to ask question after question, product information, prices, terms of payment and delivery assistance.

We ended at “I’ll get back to you” but almost a week later I now know what it feels like when they say, “I got ghosted.” Sooner or later technology will chase after this type of sellers because customers will go where buying is a treat, not a tooth extraction.

While people worry about the morality and social impact of AI, it is becoming clearer and clearer that AI will render numerous educational programs obsolete. AI and technology are already rendering the early graduates in IT or computer science unemployable.

A basic diploma is not enough. Double degrees is now normal among European students. As one expert put it: “We told our children learn to code,  but now AI is coming for those jobs.”

Like the garden “receptionist,” AI will be taking away clerical jobs, customer service, back-end jobs like accounting and auditing. If you’re an interior decorator, enjoy it while it lasts because AI now does it faster and cheaper.

In the US, they are saying that crafts or handyman work won’t go out of style because AI can’t replace a carpenter or a plumber. But from experience, AI will provide knowledge on YouTube, Meta, etc. and empower another human to displace the craftsman.

Many of us DIY folks learned from Meta, Google and YouTube University. Videos teach you how to, and where to, by pointing you towards Shopee, Lazada or Alibaba for parts or tools.

I even met a Korean lady currently doing the rounds of hospitals to sell apps that will streamline medical consultations, reduce down time and manpower dependency. Robotics and apps have entered the medical field and are increasing efficiency in diagnosis and treatment options.

You either get a double degree, don’t quit your day job or like me, start preparing for living “off grid.”

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