While the tech revolution insists on pushing through and AI is still being discussed as the world changing intervention we all need, it seems there is also much talk of issues, problems and some glaring concerns had by many. This article is focusing on the area of information and advice sought via AI agents, apps and special programs set up to invite you in to share your world with them, so they can comment and advise you on that. There’s the first problem perhaps, seeking advice from something that has nothing human about it, to give you answer to a human problem. But it can be trained or program to ‘sound human’, and that appears to be enough for some.

And it is add, because growing up, it seemed obvious that you should not accept every piece of advice you are given, and that you should perhaps question the motive, intention, background and experience of the person giving it. Many a time someone has deliberately interfered in someone else’s affairs because of an ulterior motive, whether it be jealousy, admiration, fear, hatred, love, and all the other things we as humans can be prone to. I guess maybe people thought that by removing those ‘qualities’ from an program and subsequent interaction, you might believe you are getting good, impartial advice on your situation. Turns out however, that is not the case. It is emerging that the system has a problem. It lies, fabricates information, changes information, and instead of bringing clarity and efficiency, it has brought confusion and they say is creating a lazy and limited mindset that struggles to function without its ‘guidance’ and systems to do your thinking for you.

And you might think that having access to a multitude of different opinions and feedback, ideas and advice would improve people’s knowledge, or understanding of themselves or situations they might find difficult to navigate. Apparently not for some, because it does seem that if you already lacked the ability the think for yourself, think things through, learn from mistakes, or listen to others, then that can be somewhat compounded by always seeking an online source to ‘counsel’ you through whatever your issue is. It’s a strange thing trying to listen to someone who asks you for advice or wants to talk to about something in the world, but then proceeds to tell you what ‘the internet’ told them, which happens to end up being exactly what they wanted to hear. Which is fine, because at that point you realise it was never about having a conversation, it was about them telling you what they have decided they now know. And it can work as a basic conversation, until you say something which does not agree with that new ‘internet worldview’ they have suddenly adopted, or try to give actual live advice based on experience or knowledge. Which then gets dismissed or checked, because it didn’t come from online. It’s crazy how many people now use that as a basis for qualification, reference and validation. Never researching or cross-referencing the information or advice they are being given there, or questioning the motive or nature of what is giving it. Yet people so easily do that in real life, often accusing people of having an ulterior motive when in fact they don’t, or they have a different one to what the other person can comprehend. Or will ask for advice, and when not in receipt of the answer they like or want, will argue about it or dismiss it as irrelevant. And that’s when you understand they didn’t want advice; they wanted their thoughts or conclusions to be agreed with and validated. Of course, there are others who really do want advice, but often don’t know the best way or questions to ask, and having a real person to ‘bounce off’ can be of great assistance there.

It is therefore down to the person to decide if what they need is sterile feedback to a situation, where there is no nuance, no emotion or feelings required and a faceless machine can adequately assist. Or if in fact, they require a more personal and human discussion or answer to dilemma, they should seek out a real person or base of knowledge. And many still do, and others must have realised that, so recently we have seen the AI companions being given faces, bodies, fashion styles and names. To try and personalise them and integrate them into your way of thinking. Those SIMS games make much more sense now, getting people familiar with a digital version of you and of others, so that you get used to interacting and communicating with a virtual self and ‘friends’ that you tailor to your requirement. I thought it was odd at the time, but couldn’t quite put my finger on why, because as with so much at first, it often just seems harmless and is a bit of fun and escapism. But they are all about social conditioning and study of the subjects involved, from the early days of board games mentioned in A Game, I think Not… to the strange and unusual set up we seem to be in like The Beautiful Mice. The introduction of AI and its extended branches of intrusion, just seem to be the next instalment in the corrupted, distorted and quite grotesque ideal being constructed for humans and nature. One that completely lacks heart, beauty, vision or soul, and it shows…

(c) MKW Publishing