Embracing the Unwanted AI Dystopia: Unveiling Silicon Valley's Role

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I recently watched Jurassic Park again, marking probably my 10th viewing since its release 30 years ago. Just a quick note, the movie still holds up really well - I would give it a solid 10/10.

Early in the plot, the guests are sharing their thoughts about the park. Jeff Goldblum’s character, who is also amazing in the film, delivers a speech that seems to predict the current debate on artificial intelligence. He warns about the dangers of playing with genetic power without fully understanding its consequences. It's like a kid playing with a dangerous weapon without realizing the potential harm it can cause.

He expresses his concern to John, highlighting how genetic power is a powerful force that should be handled with care and responsibility. Instead of taking the time to fully comprehend the implications of their actions, they rushed to patent and commercialize it. It's like standing on the shoulders of geniuses to achieve something quickly, without fully grasping the magnitude of their creation. The rush to profit from it by selling merchandise like plastic lunchboxes is a clear example of reckless behavior.

And then there's that famous line that sparked countless memes: "Your scientists were so focused on whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

Of course, the skeptical person in the group is brushed off as a Luddite, and the movie continues. (Spoiler: Turns out, the Luddite was actually right!)

AI skeptics, who are quite numerous and not just a part of the fringe conspiracy theorists, are urging Silicon Valley to pause before releasing AI to the public.

However, tech companies, excited by the groundbreaking computing technology, are behaving like children who have stumbled upon their father's gun.

Apple and Google, both known for their innovative contributions, have incorporated AI-powered features in their latest tablets and smartphones. This move is seen as a way to showcase their commitment to staying current and cutting-edge in the tech industry. However, it also serves as a distraction from the lack of new proprietary technology developments from these companies in recent years.

Despite their efforts to market these new devices, Apple and Google seem to have missed the mark.

Apple’s latest iPad advertisement sparked controversy this week. The ad shows a large industrial hydraulic press slowly crushing various items symbolizing human creativity, such as a piano, a record player playing a hit song, cans of paint, books, an arcade console, and a trumpet. The music plays while the machine destroys everything. Finally, the ad reveals that all these items are contained in Apple’s newest iPad, which is the thinnest and most powerful yet, thanks to its new AI chip.

The online backlash was immediate and intense.

Filmmaker Asif Kapadia expressed his views on how tech companies treat artists, musicians, creators, writers, and filmmakers. He stated that these companies often exploit and underpay them, taking credit for their work.

Actor and producer Luke Barnett humorously commented on the strange nature of an iPad advertisement. He joked about a deleted scene where beloved characters were lined up and shot.

Apple apologized for a recent ad, acknowledging that they missed the mark in celebrating user expression through the iPad. They expressed regret for the mistake.

CEO Tim Cook announced earlier in the week that Apple's new AI tools will be powered by the powerful M4 chip. This move is seen as a response to declining sales, with the company banking on the potential of adding bots to attract more customers.

Are you also seeing a lot of Google Pixel ads lately? They feature people happily using the smartphone's AI photo-editing software to trick their social media followers.

In these ads, we see a man who can't dunk a basketball using a trampoline to reach the hoop, and then editing out the trampoline. A not-so-perfect group selfie magically turns into a flawless image by combining everyone's best angles to create a moment that never actually occurred. A father playfully tosses his child in the air, and then edits the photo to make it look like the child went even higher than before, for reasons that are still unclear.

Google is showing off its capabilities without considering the significance of it all. It seems like they are just creating distortions for the sake of it, without any real purpose. This could potentially lead to normalizing the idea of visual misinformation among the general public.

Smartphones and tablets were created with the intention of improving our daily lives. They were designed to make it simpler for us to step out of our homes, go to the beach, and meet up with friends. Essentially, they are just a convenient combination of a camera and a computer that can easily fit into our pockets.

Our phones and tablets are expected to become even more helpful with AI in the future. They will act as virtual assistants, handling tasks like summarizing emails and getting rid of spam. AI enthusiasts predict a future where you can simply ask Siri or Google to order your regular breakfast from the nearby coffee shop, and it will be ready for pick up when you arrive.

However, we are not at that point yet. Currently, the practical uses of AI for consumers are both disappointing and unsettling.

Distorted images may seem harmless when shared on social media, but they can quickly turn into dangerous propaganda when spread by malicious individuals.

Apple is gearing up to unveil its own version of ChatGPT tools, which could revolutionize how you search the internet. However, these generative AI bots are not immune to errors and may even experience hallucinations. It remains unclear what will happen when the bots exhaust the human-generated data they rely on and begin generating their own texts, much like a snake consuming its own tail.

Some experts in the AI debate, like industry pioneers, are not suggesting we should completely suppress AI and act like it never happened. They are more like friendly skeptics who question whether certain actions are necessary. It seems like we were left out of Apple's and Google's marketing discussions.

Editor's P/S:

The article raises concerns about the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) without fully considering its potential risks. It highlights the parallels between the reckless pursuit of genetic power in "Jurassic Park" and the hasty embrace of AI by tech companies. The author argues that these companies are prioritizing novelty over substance, using AI features as marketing gimmicks rather than offering meaningful benefits to consumers.

The article also emphasizes the dangers of AI-generated misinformation and the potential for abuse of AI tools. It warns that distorted images shared on social media can easily be weaponized for пропаганда, and that generative AI bots may produce inaccurate or harmful content. The author urges for a more cautious approach to AI development, calling for industry experts to engage in open and critical discussions about its responsible use.