THE CULTURE OF AI
By Anthony Elliott
Routledge, 2019, 246 pages
Review by Michael Beach
The work is subtitled “everyday life and the digital revolution.” Despite the futuristic robot image on the cover page, Elliott looks to more contemporary practical implications of AI, some of which may be scarier than the stuff of sci-fi movies.
Elliott does address robotics such as how technology and automation are growing in the workplace, along with some of the social and economic impacts of that trend. A less flattering look of ‘digital life’ is around our tendencies toward narcissism. Technology can inspire these tendencies. For example it may be more important to some to take online actions to increase follower counts, than to let go of the keyboard and have personal interaction with others. As a reviewer, I was certainly forced to ask myself the question about why I feel a need to publish a review on our family website about each book I read. So far I have resisted the temptation to similar things on other platforms, though I do have a public presence on several social media apps.
In the book, Elliott takes time to explore some of the potentially sinister aspects of AI such as automated so-called bot actions, surveillance, and even military applications. Concerns over stalking, bullying, and exploitation by the sex industry express how cyber and robotic tools can enhance the negative parts of humanity. He takes a look at each of these uses of AI and societal impacts as well. Despite the negatives, he gives similar space to positives such as increased capabilities in healthcare, remote communications, crime fighting, and democratic processes.
Technology and society are co-productive. Both are ever more mobile. Each cause the language and thought patterns of the other to evolve. Despite all the life enhancements tech and AI bring to modern life, I’m still an advocate of occasional unplugging. I believe it helps us be more human.
By Anthony Elliott
Routledge, 2019, 246 pages
Review by Michael Beach
The work is subtitled “everyday life and the digital revolution.” Despite the futuristic robot image on the cover page, Elliott looks to more contemporary practical implications of AI, some of which may be scarier than the stuff of sci-fi movies.
Elliott does address robotics such as how technology and automation are growing in the workplace, along with some of the social and economic impacts of that trend. A less flattering look of ‘digital life’ is around our tendencies toward narcissism. Technology can inspire these tendencies. For example it may be more important to some to take online actions to increase follower counts, than to let go of the keyboard and have personal interaction with others. As a reviewer, I was certainly forced to ask myself the question about why I feel a need to publish a review on our family website about each book I read. So far I have resisted the temptation to similar things on other platforms, though I do have a public presence on several social media apps.
In the book, Elliott takes time to explore some of the potentially sinister aspects of AI such as automated so-called bot actions, surveillance, and even military applications. Concerns over stalking, bullying, and exploitation by the sex industry express how cyber and robotic tools can enhance the negative parts of humanity. He takes a look at each of these uses of AI and societal impacts as well. Despite the negatives, he gives similar space to positives such as increased capabilities in healthcare, remote communications, crime fighting, and democratic processes.
Technology and society are co-productive. Both are ever more mobile. Each cause the language and thought patterns of the other to evolve. Despite all the life enhancements tech and AI bring to modern life, I’m still an advocate of occasional unplugging. I believe it helps us be more human.
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