Can dystopian world views be useful to society?

[UtahPete]

Recently there was an interesting Off Topic thread having to do with an animation expressing a dystopian world view. I thought that, much like '1984' and 'Animal Farm' before it (among many other acclaimed works of fiction), it foretold of a world devoid of personal choice, controlled by a malevolent, unseen and unaccountable 'force'.

Lately the press has been covering the heated debate about whether Artificial Intelligence needs to be throttled before it leads to a dystopian world controlled by the unelected few who control AI, or even an uncontrollable AI.

For instance, the following is from an article in the Washington Post;

"Inside Silicon Valley’s AI sector, fierce divisions are growing over the impact of a new wave of artificial intelligence: While some argue it’s imperative to race ahead, others say the technology presents an existential risk. Those tensions took center stage late last month, when Elon Musk, along with other tech executives and academics, signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause on developing “human-competitive” AI, citing “profound risks to society and humanity.” Self-described decision theorist Eliezer Yudkowsky, co-founder of the nonprofit Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI), went further: AI development needs to be shut down worldwide, he wrote in a Time magazine op-ed, calling for American airstrikes on foreign data centers if necessary.

The policy world didn’t seem to know how seriously to heed these warnings. Asked if AI is dangerous, President Biden said Tuesday, “It remains to be seen. Could be.” The dystopian visions are familiar to many inside Silicon Valley’s insular AI sector, where a small group of strange but influential subcultures have clashed in recent months. One sect is certain AI could kill us all. Another says this technology will empower humanity to flourish if deployed correctly. Others suggest the six-month pause proposed by Musk, who will reportedly launch his own AI lab, was designed to help him catch up."

Is this the fear that drives authors to create compelling stories about a dystopian future?

[azprince]

If I can't elect them, I don't need them.

[RayBJ]

He who controls the data, controls the world. It doesn't matter who you vote for. What matters is what gets counted (data).
"1984" under-shot a few decades but we are not far from it's completion. New-speak and 'keep your head down' seems to get broader every day. My son changed all his light switches so he can say, "hey google turn on the kitchen light". So the google servers hear EVERYTHING SAID in the house! HELLOOO!

I think that's why I still ride. I never think about world events while I'm 'on the road'.

[spyderdave]

I would be quick to point out that synonyms for "artificial" include bogus, phoney, false and contrived; I prefer real intelligence, experience & wisdom.

[Cobwebs]

Anything electronic can be and is used for control. It's the by who and for what that gets blurred, by design. Television a seemingly crude by todays standards form of AI has been subliminally enslaving since 1928. The latest crap, ie internet, smartphones, self organising graphene nanoparticles in vaccines, Chat gtp and just for fun, vision transmitting toilet paper (who knows how demented these sicko's are and what did everyone panic buy when covid lockdowns hit) all need to be flushed to regain lost freedoms.
I would not be the least bit surprised if it were proven this technology had been used centuries ago and we've been memory deleted of it but it's back again .

[Snoking1127]

The visiting beings from outer space are far more advanced than we are, as it seems they figured out time travel. Here today and gone a nano second later.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

He who controls the data, controls the world. It doesn't matter who you vote for. What matters is what gets counted (data).
"1984" under-shot a few decades but we are not far from it's completion. New-speak and 'keep your head down' seems to get broader every day. My son changed all his light switches so he can say, "hey google turn on the kitchen light". So the google servers hear EVERYTHING SAID in the house! HELLOOO!

I think that's why I still ride. I never think about world events while I'm 'on the road'.

and that *itch stores EVERYTHING She hears ...... It's the same for TikTok ......JMHO .... Mike

[2dogs]

Every program has a back door so the creator can look, listen and steal.

[BamaJohn]

Recently there was an interesting Off Topic thread having to do with an animation expressing a dystopian world view. I thought that, much like '1984' and 'Animal Farm' before it (among many other acclaimed works of fiction), it foretold of a world devoid of personal choice, controlled by a malevolent, unseen and unaccountable 'force'.

Lately the press has been covering the heated debate about whether Artificial Intelligence needs to be throttled before it leads to a dystopian world controlled by the unelected few who control AI, or even an uncontrollable AI.

For instance, the following is from an article in the Washington Post;

"Inside Silicon Valley’s AI sector, fierce divisions are growing over the impact of a new wave of artificial intelligence: While some argue it’s imperative to race ahead, others say the technology presents an existential risk. Those tensions took center stage late last month, when Elon Musk, along with other tech executives and academics, signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause on developing “human-competitive” AI, citing “profound risks to society and humanity.” Self-described decision theorist Eliezer Yudkowsky, co-founder of the nonprofit Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI), went further: AI development needs to be shut down worldwide, he wrote in a Time magazine op-ed, calling for American airstrikes on foreign data centers if necessary.

The policy world didn’t seem to know how seriously to heed these warnings. Asked if AI is dangerous, President Biden said Tuesday, “It remains to be seen. Could be.” The dystopian visions are familiar to many inside Silicon Valley’s insular AI sector, where a small group of strange but influential subcultures have clashed in recent months. One sect is certain AI could kill us all. Another says this technology will empower humanity to flourish if deployed correctly. Others suggest the six-month pause proposed by Musk, who will reportedly launch his own AI lab, was designed to help him catch up."

Is this the fear that drives authors to create compelling stories about a dystopian future?

Same debate about the "Manhattan Project"...and artificial insemination....and cloning. Wish we had a Time Machine, so we could look ahead at 2123 and see how things worked out before making decisions like these.

[safecracker]

I am fearful for the future.

[pegasus1300]

The thing that scares me about AI is the way it is being allied to driving. We are already seeing ads for driving no handed, for not paying attention to your driving, and even for driving with no human in the driver's seat. The AMA has already warned that the current AI does not always recognize motorcycles at intersections and in adjacent lanes or in the same lane in slowing or stopped situations. That is too many possible recognition error possibilities for me. To answer your question Pete, yes, I think a dystopian vision can be useful in avoiding that very problem. To quote a famous line from a popular dystopian movie "just because we can doesn't mean we should!".

[UtahPete]

Every program has a back door so the creator can look, listen and steal.

I don't understand what you mean, buddy. Are you referring to Siri and other types of AI-driven interactive devices in the home? If so, i agree so don't use them.

[Grandpot]

Recently there was an interesting Off Topic thread having to do with an animation expressing a dystopian world view. I thought that, much like '1984' and 'Animal Farm' before it (among many other acclaimed works of fiction), it foretold of a world devoid of personal choice, controlled by a malevolent, unseen and unaccountable 'force'.


You left out the Church of Scientology.

[wyliec]

My limited view of AI is each morning I find myself thanking Alexa when she gives me the weather and the latest news, and she tells me what a nice person I am. Then, I think what little she really knows.