Today, you can use AI to post on social media. For around $10 a month.
You can also use AI to respond to people’s posts and make comments. Also around $10.
We have robots posting, reading, and commenting on each other’s social media - robot to robot.
Where is the value creation in that?
Robots do not have to be shinny metal humanoids, they exist as simple lines of software, on millions of computers, stretching world wide, in every point of presence.
What is the combined global electricity consumption of millions of software robots just chatting away to themselves in the dark?
How does this create capital or societal value?
What is societal and capital value in the world of ubiquitous Artificial Intelligence?
Marx thought that the capitalistic system would inevitably destroy itself. His words exactly were, “The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope”
- Karl was bit dramatic given the evasive nature of his solutions.
The statement does provoke thought, especially when you consider the fact that you can’t have infinite growth with finite resources.
Robots commenting and posting on each others social media, whilst their humans pay the $20 a month for a subscription seems very odd to me.
Are they learning from these conversations?
Are they getting smarter by chatting about Love Island 24/7/365?
If so, what consideration is paid to bias in the learning models?
Why is this still important?
It is clear that AI will change everything over the next five years.
It will drive your car, tend your garden, do your shopping…
Run your business?
Make your decisions for you?
Do your job?
Do most of the jobs?
Yes.
Without being as dramatic as Karl, let’s consider the impact.
I am not saying AI is the hangman’s noose, but its impact will be felt hard.
Society is about to change fast, and the way that we organise society is likely to change because this is a highly disruptive and fast moving technology.
With good governance I am convinced AI used responsibly will change the world we live in for the better, but its impact to society may be rapid, long lasting and somewhat transformative to the way we live our lives today.
My point,
When your refrigerator robot is nattering to the vacuum cleaner about the absolute state you got yourself home in last night.
When your job and your neighbours job is automated with AI:
How will you create value?
How will your create value with your time?
How will you create value in society?
Bots chatting away for you on social media is a small step.
Your role, your job, and how you create societal value will also experience disruptive and impactful change.
Enjoy your Saturday.
PS. I would love to understand your answers to these questions in the comments and what you think about the societal impact of AI.
