WHISTLEHOG

Category: AI Slop

  • Drifting to Where Exactly?

    Venturebeat.com - Stop drifting through AI transformation

    Interesting article about confronting the AI devolution with a handful of principles:

    • Dignity
    • pluralism
    • Transparency
    • Agency
    • Design

    Like other tech-utopianists, the author (Gary Grossman) fails to address the shareholder-obsessed, monopolistic, enshitified, platformic, regulationless, late-phase feudalistic capitalism that dominates American government.

    When we reach that (neo-medieval?) destination that AI adoption is drifting us towards, Grossman’s article will serve as yet-another I-told-ya-so artifact of our collective naivete and dread while on the The Drift.

  • Problem DEFINITION

    The best solution for a problem is found in the definition of the problem. I spent some time over the last few days mapping out the societal ills that have been exacerbated (created?) by big technology.

    Surveillance Capitalism

    Issues

    • Data collection for profit
    • Social inequality amplification
    • Privacy erosion

    Solutions

    • GDPR-style regulation
    • Data portability
    • Algorithm transparency

    Inequality + Exploitation

    Issues

    • Gig economy exploitation
    • Wealth concentration
    • Social inequality

    Solutions

    • Worker unionization
    • Universal Basic Income
    • Antitrust enforcement

    Privacy + Autonomy Loss

    Issues

    • Unwanted surveillance
    • Data analysis intrusion
    • Institutional distrust

    Solutions

    • Stronger data protection
    • Privacy-by-design
    • Biometric consent

    Manipulation + Disinformation

    Issues

    • Social media disinformation
    • Election manipulation
    • Civic disengagement

    Solutions

    • Media literacy programs
    • Algorithm accountability
    • Disinformation regulation

    Surveillance + Control

    Issues

    • Government surveillance
    • Corporate data collection
    • Civic trust erosion

    Solutions

    • Surveillance reform
    • Data minimization
    • Independent oversight

    Violence, Hate, + Bullying

    Issues

    • Hate speech and harassment
    • Violence and extremist ideologies
    • Cyberbullying and real-world harm

    Solutions

    • Content moderation policies
    • Algorithmic accountability
    • Online safety protocols

    Environmental Impact

    Issues

    • E-waste management problems
    • Data center energy consumption
    • Rare earth mineral mining

    Solutions

    • Sustainable practices
    • Environmental regulations
    • Green technology R&D

    Mental Health

    Issues

    • Social comparison and low self-esteem
    • Stress from constant connectivity
    • Decreased attention span

    Solutions

    • Digital wellness initiatives
    • Mental health resources
    • Research and awareness

    Economic Inequality

    Issues

    • Widening wealth gap
    • Job displacement from AI
    • Decreased economic mobility

    Solutions

    • Digital literacy programs
    • Job retraining programs
    • Fair labor regulations

    National Security

    Issues

    • Data breaches and cyber attacks
    • Espionage and IP theft
    • Social media manipulation

    Solutions

    • Robust cybersecurity
    • National security regulations
    • International cooperation

    This list provides a foundation for my concept explorations (coming soon).