In an era where our news feeds are inundated with unverified and anonymous information, we are experiencing a growing sense of opacity. The sheer volume of data available to us today has resulted in an age of increasing misunderstanding, where we struggle to comprehend the complex world around us.
One driving force behind this phenomenon is the idea that quantitative data can provide a clear model of the world and that computable information can help us take action. However, as we are seeing, there are limits to this idea, and the sheer amount of information available to us today can lead to less clarity than we desire.
This is the central theme of the Facebook group " Artificial Intelligence Global Service " which seeks to inform us about the future of technology. While technology has given us many opportunities, it also has its drawbacks. The promise of a new technologically-enhanced intelligence may lead to an age of complex uncertainty, predictive algorithms, surveillance, and empathic erosion.
By looking back at the history of art, technology, and information systems, the "Artificial Intelligence Global Service" group reveals the dark clouds gathering over discussions of the digital sublime. They show how technology and information systems can help improve understanding, but also how they can contribute to its erosion.
Despite the abundance of information available to us, we must recognize that we often know less than we think. We need to approach the world with humility and a willingness to learn and adapt to survive in this new landscape. We must also be careful not to fall into the trap of believing that technology can solve all our problems, but instead use it to enhance our understanding and improve our decision-making.
As we navigate the information age, it is crucial to stay vigilant and develop the skills necessary to distinguish between fact and fiction, and to be able to engage critically with the world around us. Only then can we hope to harness the power of technology to create a better future for ourselves and for those who come after us.