The concept of singularity – aptly named given its single mindedness – is a concept without any parallel in history for its ambition and scale.
It brings together AI, big data, blockchain and algorithms into a digital ecosystem which is limitless in scope.
Potentially , as a design thought, each one of us will be subject to its monitoring and control from the moment we are conceived till when our insurance payout happens after death. We may live on longer as a referencing statistic. Finally, data will make us immortal !
Sarcasm aside, in many ways , concerns over the business impact of singularity in business are misplaced, even alarmist. The density of consumer engagement will increase and data will allow for sellers to push based on predispositions, propensities and probabilities.
But in the socio-cultural sphere, it is fair to be concerned and alarm.
Singularity in the digital continuum is a powerful means for propaganda and prejudiced misinformation.
The democratic processes is about ‘majority voted choice’ . The norm will be transformed compared to how it was as of now. We will be fed on our biases, exploited for anxieties and the magician’s trick will apply to any card we pull. This will be made possible thanks to continuous data linked personalisation.
The targeting of content based on priori information can/will irreparably disrupt the democratic process
Public scrutiny is revealing that computational propaganda has been successful because the filtering systems of today’s social networks are fragile. Activity trumps aggregation. The systems are susceptible to popularity based recency.
Somewhere the ‘wisdom of the crowds’ logic breaks down in this new digital world. On such platforms our intelligence is attenuated not amplified. In large digital groups, collectivism takes the road to regressive thinking.
Power in a democracy is about participation to choose. Eventually those who get chosen wield power. Corporate power is more pervasive, continuous and better resourced. It also has focused area of interest so gets its narrative in place faster.
There is a criticism that the social web is promoting echo chambers. That we are not on networks that routinely expose us to opposition, disclaimers, contradictions or contrarian points of view.
Artificial Intelligence cannot help us discern truth from fiction .
That we ought to do by ourselves, for ourselves and as ourselves.