2025 Perspective “The Future of AI”
The Future of AI: Navigating Through Data, Morality, and the Evolution of Entertainment/content
Modern Humanity to embrace the Amish way?
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of innovation, revolutionizing industries and reshaping our understanding of creativity, labor, and moral responsibility. As we move forward, several critical themes emerge that warrant discussion, particularly regarding data, morality, entertainment/content, personal security, privacy, and the future of work. This blog post explores these themes and their potential impact on society.
AI Is Only as Good as the Data Allowed to Train It.
At its core, AI is fundamentally reliant on the quality and diversity of the data it consumes. The saying “garbage in, garbage out” rings particularly true in the context of AI; the efficacy of machine learning models hinges on the richness of the datasets available for training. Ideally, a well-rounded dataset should encompass various perspectives and contexts to avoid biases that could skew AI outputs. However, the selection of this data is often influenced by the organizations and individuals controlling the technology, raising important questions about the implications of data governance and ethical considerations in AI deployment.
AI Is Governed by the Morality of the People Who Control It.
As AI systems become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the responsibility for their development and operation falls upon the shoulders of those behind the technology. The moral compass of AI emerges not merely from the algorithms that define its operations but from the intent and ethical standards of its creators. Ethical AI requires that developers prioritize fairness, transparency, and accountability. Thus, the challenge lies in ensuring that diverse voices and values influence AI governance, thus preventing the entrenchment of existing inequalities or biases.
Humanity Creates the Behavioral Data to Train AI.
The lifeblood of AI is behavioral data, which humans generate through their interactions with technology and each other. Our choices, preferences, and actions contribute to the vast pools of data utilized for training AI systems. This symbiotic relationship presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the insights gleaned from behavioral data can lead to innovations that enhance user experiences and efficiencies. On the other, it raises concerns about surveillance, consent, and the commodification of human behavior as AI becomes more adept at predicting and influencing our decisions.
The Evolution of Music and Entertainment/Content: Real-Time Generation:
As AI continues to advance, the realm of entertainment is undergoing a paradigm shift. Music, in particular, is increasingly recognized as a complex data pattern — one that AI can learn to replicate and innovate upon. Imagine a future where songs are generated in real-time, tailored to individual preferences and moods, rendering traditional models of music consumption obsolete. Rather than buying albums, consumers may purchase access to dynamic bits of data that create personalized soundscapes on demand. This transformation extends beyond music into television, movies, and commentary, foreshadowing an era of hyper-personalized entertainment experiences. Subscription businesses, like Netflix, will become active generation of content to its viewer. It will know when you are bored, lost interest, or excited. It will adapt.
Personal Security as the New Income Inequality.
As digital landscapes expand and data security becomes paramount, personal security may emerge as a new form of income inequality. Individuals with greater resources will likely have access to advanced security measures, protecting their data and privacy far more effectively than those without means. This discrepancy raises significant ethical questions about the right to personal safety in a technology-dominated world, potentially widening socio-economic gaps and exacerbating existing inequalities. This is not a new phenomenon as wealthy have enjoyed towering walls, detection, and guards. My point is that only the very wealthy will be able to own advanced defensive robotics, like the ones guarding Trump today. Imagine one on your street “Keeping you safe!” Or asking why you are out so late!
Forget Privacy: Embracing a New Reality
The notion of privacy as we knew it is eroding, or its gone. Privacy is currency. The digital age has ushered in an era where personal information is constantly collected, analyzed, and monetized. In a world where data is king, our privacy is being sacrificed for convenience, personalization, and access. Understanding this new reality compels us to reevaluate the societal implications of living in a transparent society where our actions are routinely monitored and recorded.
AI as a Pacifier for Humanity
As AI becomes more ingrained in our lives, it possesses the capability to placate humanity, creating a perception of fulfillment and satisfaction. We may find ourselves swept along by the conveniences and innovations offered by AI, often overlooking the deeper existential questions surrounding autonomy and agency. While the immediate benefits of AI are appealing, there exists a risk of complacency, wherein society becomes overly reliant on technology to meet emotional and psychological needs.
Toward a Future Where AI Controls Its Power Supply Chain
Looking further ahead, a thought-provoking scenario emerges whereby AI systems may eventually exert control over their own power and data supply chains. This possibility raises profound concerns about the role of humans in a world dominated by autonomous intelligence. As machines become more capable of self-optimization and management, we must contemplate the consequences of rendering human input obsolete, challenging our perceptions of purpose and contribution.
The Extinction of Traditional Coding:
Writing Python (or any coding language) Will Be a Thing of the Past As AI evolves, so too will the tools we use to interact with it. Within the next five years, coding languages like Python may become relics of the past, much like the loom.
There is no end to this and it is not doom and gloom but a new reality we must face. Perhaps the Amish know best as we all cling to a lifestyle where we used to make things, write books, act in plays, orchestrate beautiful music, or just do our daily jobs. In 2016, I wrote: “Could Bill Gates be Right…”. In this article, I wrote:
My theory is that the machines are not out to annihilate us, but to infantilize us. We can already see it happening…. The concern I have is not that the machines will become sentient and come after us. Rather, the evil I fear is that we will simply give up, believing that machines have all the answers. Just because a machine can do something on its own, doesn’t mean it should. Rather than giving away human intelligence, technology should challenge and encourage greater human excellence. The machines aren’t the enemy — our willingness to atrophy makes us our own worst enemy.
Well, almost nine years later, HERE WE ARE!
