Sinister Perils are looming behind today’s AI-Hype. Don’t become an “AI-Lemming”!

(Title photo: Ice Dragon Teeth. Ice stalagmites and – stalactites forming teeth-like ice sculptures. Close-up taken along the Yukon River in Whitehorse.)

It could all be so warm and fuzzy

I read a love story generated by AI. Not more shallow than any of today’s junk-books. Authentic enough and quite sweet. My wife read an AI-generated Shakespearean poem that wasn’t too bad either. A friend of mine composed some AI-supported paintings that were beautiful. All pretty harmless, right?

There’s no doubt that AI will also revolutionize the workplace. It’s on us to shape this revolution.

AI should and could become a blessing for humanity. But let’s not be naive.

AI can de-humanize Relationships and imperil Democracy.
AI should serve Us, but today’s Models make Us serve AI.

Today’s almighty Cyber-Behemoths are investing billions in AI. They will wield even more power over the have-nots of AI. The priority of corporations has to be turning a profit and surviving. Our personal data are shamelessly syphoned by them and abused for targeted ads we can’t escape…and what else one might wonder? We are not asked for permission and don’t get a cent for our data. AI may well enable them to deepen this practise. AI runs the risk of being authoritarian, manipulative and exploitive.

Chat-Bots infused by AI – no thanks!

I’ve come to hate chat-bots: They are fake impersonators who don’t know much. If you have any specific question, you’re on your own. All under the guise of “you are important to us”. You are not! Infusing more AI into chatbots with today’s prevailing service mentality will make things worse. Banks, airlines, telecoms etc. – they are all infected by the de-humanization of service.

Human to Human still counts – two Examples

While you interact with your beloved human-like AI, it is silently looking over your shoulder. Even if it talks back, you are never challenged or accountable. You are lonely but too busy to notice. Your AI may even fake trust and anger. Brave New World.

AI is utterly sociophobic. We can’t exist without human connection.

Second example: I recently emailed a senior airline executive asking for help with a booking. He responded swiftly and gave a relevant answer that really helped me. Then it turned out I couldn’t apply his help because the airline’s website couldn’t retrieve my booking. I called them, and after verification and the bot recording what I wanted, the pre-recorded voice said “due to high call volume we can’t take your call right now” and hung up on me. This made me write to the same executive, who I’m sure had his plate full without me. The next day I was notified by email that all the changes I had asked for were made. Even better yet, a representative called me and offered to do the seat assignments for me. I will never forget this executive’s name! AI will never be able to do this!

AI is not innocent

All AI is being programmed by humans who have their own values, attitude, intentions and work context. Invariably, this will penetrate into their algorithms. It opens the floodgates to manipulation, pushing sales, creating half-truths and producing inadequate results for the public at large. Individual and relevant solutions cannot happen without the human touch of the target audience.

Programmers are mostly driven by their employer’s goals, one of which is the bottom line. Are they well-rounded holistic thinkers who can relate to regular people’s reality? How can we as a society make sure that AI respects our values?

Imagine if governments would cross the red line of abusing AI. Selective surveillance, creating impenetrable lies, targeted measures of suppression and coercion.

Take me by the hand and show me the way. My way? Whose way?

For me, critical thinking and self-determination are the juice of live.

AI kills Accountability

Politicians are slow and driven by political gain, not our welfare. Government bureaucrats follow the principle of “taxation without representation” – they will not save you from AI, but use it against you; to interfere with your life and impose ever more red tape. AI would also enable them to deny even the little accountability they still have today. “It’s the AI, we don’t know who programmed it.”

Who will oversee the input for designing AI? Who will decide if the outcome is helpful and acceptable? Shall we invent a new bureaucracy that uses AI to make that judgement? More than ever, this is our own responsibility!

Programmers replacing Musicians and Artists

AI can already generate beautiful creations across all art forms! But this cannot mean to make artists jobless. As humans, we need purpose. AI can take that away, not just for artists.

AI cannot convey Warmth, genuine Friendliness or Authenticity

We are social animals. It feels so good if someone goes the extra mile for us.
Good will can only exist between humans. In business terms, it is also a valuable asset. AI is oblivious to good will. It can take humans years to build good will. And it can take AI seconds to destroy it.

AI is here to stay – how We can all help to make AI serve us well

• Embrace AI – learn where it’s useful to you, establish your boundaries where it’s not.
• Build trusting relationships and establish personal contact when seeking customer support.
• Check your internet settings – there are options to reduce cookies, ads and data syphoning.
• Resist efforts to de-humanize your work environment through AI.
• Pick suppliers and vendors who take you serious as a human.
• Don’t vote for the illiberal left or illiberal right 🙂

Whenever you can, give your input to how you would like AI to serve you.

Here is an example of how web-based customer support could look. First step: Yes, a chat bot infused with relevant AI – meaning programmed with real customers in mind. Second step: As soon as a question cannot be completely answered (assessed in real time through customer’s input), the chat bot will hand off instantly to a real person – this can be via chat, email or phone call.

Beware of AI – don’t become an involuntary Lemming!

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