Technology is great – it provides an infinite library of information at your fingertips, tedious manual tasks have been automated and it keeps you virtually connected to everyone & everything. Has that made life easy and fast track? Perhaps, but not quite if you really think about it. Let’s start with the first thing you do when you wake up . You probably check your phone which may keep you in bed for a while, depending on your lifestyle.
Then there are those who prefer to give a shout out to Alexa, Google, Siri or Cortana first thing in the morning. Virtual assistants sound great in a way that they get so many little things done for you. ‘Smart homes’ are becoming a norm among the elite, especially the “single & independent’ working class. Apparently, your personal AI (Artificial Intelligence) assistant can control the WiFi, thermostat, lighting, dishwasher, washing machine and respond to all sorts of requests.
It’s funny how we use one form of technology to control the other. While we’re handing over basic house chores to AI and also getting their input on work/studies, are we actually saving time? Most of us are using that spare time to entertain ourselves via technology again – TV, Internet, Video gaming etc. Statistics suggest that the urge to check your phone occurs 150 times per day on average. Also, when people take out the time to actually go out with family or friends, their phones dominate. They will end up sitting at a table in a fancy restaurant taking at least 50 photos of their food or continuously looking out for updates on their social apps.
Millenials are criticized for being addicted to social media and sharing every frivolous event happening with them. It all started with the availability of a magical gadget called the ‘Smartphone’. The earlier cellular phones were restricted to texts and voice calls but the latest phone technology offers high-quality cameras, encouraging the exchange of visual content. These phones have sprouted a strange array of careers such as “YouTube bloggers” and “Instagram Models”; many of them even earn a lot of money.
In the past, technology was meant to make manual tasks easier by minimizing effort. The new AI technology only appears to have the objective of replacing us. Will they take over all of our jobs in the future? Robots are evolving and the people building them claim that about 20 years from now, they will be able to do everything humankind is capable of.
The question is ‘Why are we giving in to whatever technology puts on our plate?’
We are all aware of the dangers of advanced AI; we’ve all heard stories about how technology invades privacy and yet, we embrace it. The truth is that technology manipulates our mind and we never seem to realize it. Here’s how it works:
The developers of AI/technology design their products to intrigue human nature and take advantage of it. They give you a powerful machine with endless possibilities and also fits in your pocket; who could say no to that? Mobile apps are designed to provide you an illusion of incentive or approval. When you get a notification, it could mean someone liked your photo, you’ve received an important message, or your soulmate just swiped right on Tinder.
Another predictable tendency of human beings is the ‘Tit for Tat’ legacy. For example, if someone follows you on Twitter, you’ll feel obliged to do the same for them. In contrast, if someone generates a mean tweet about you, the desire of revenge may engulf you. This triggers an endless chain – we become part of a fabricated social circle in hopes of achieving some unrealistic fame and applause.
Human beings are constantly craving for emotional experiences – the diverse variety of apps has something for everyone. Many people create their own new worlds through gaming and virtual reality and whatever happens within – they take it very seriously. Modern games can be so rewarding and life-like that people like them better than their dull reality.