In his thought-provoking opinion piece “Robots Fired, Screenings Cancelled: The Rise of the Luddite Movement Against AI” on July 27th, Ed Newton-Rex overlooks a significant concern regarding artificial intelligence: surveillance. Governments have a history of spying on their citizens, and with technology, this surveillance capability is amplified.
George Orwell’s novel 1984 depicted a world where authorities used two-way telescreens to monitor individuals’ actions and conversations, similar to today’s digital control systems powered by electronic tracking devices and facial recognition technology. These systems allow for the collection of personal information, enabling prediction and control of behavior.
There is currently no effective method proposed to safeguard privacy against increasing state intrusion. Without this protection, the public sphere may diminish as individuals require a private space free from surveillance to think without fear of consequences.
• Regarding Ed Newton-Rex’s article on artificial intelligence, a key distinction lies between AI used for practical purposes like medical diagnosis and AI employed in cultural creation. While AI can enhance art and writing, issues arise when these systems produce subpar imitations of creativity at the behest of uninformed individuals.
There is a risk of downplaying human creativity and undermining the value of art and legitimate AI if AI is perceived as equal or superior in creativity.
• Newton-Rex highlights a crucial point, but the main threat posed by artificial intelligence is its potential to alleviate the need for critical thinking. Homo sapiens may evolve into passive consumers of entertainment, relinquishing the cognitive burden of thinking.
Source: www.theguardian.com
