As part of our latest site revamp, we thought we’d set up a place for us to talk about what we’re doing at the moment, as well as share our thoughts on the latest developments in both artificial intelligence, and IT security.
On the AI side, we’ll be using this space for announcements but also for offering some perspectives that aren’t currently well represented in the public discussion around AI.
There are important questions about this technology that we as a society need to reckon with soon if AI is to play a predominantly positive role in our future. Unfortunately, the media—both social and traditional variants—are often forced to compete for clicks by focusing on the most frightening or controversial aspects of any given issue, which has meant that much of the discussion around AI has focused on dystopian science fiction scenarios about machines enslaving humanity, threats to job security, and other topics that very successfully target the emotional centers of the brain. To combat this, we’d like to carve out a space here where we can discuss issues surrounding AI in a more productive way.
Whether the benefits of AI ultimately outweigh whatever harms it might bring depends to a large degree on whether the more positive visions for the technology succeed in entering the public imagination where they can take hold and inspire people to realize them. Part of this will come from understanding how to think more clearly about the technology. Part of it will also come from actually building tools that make the positive potential of AI more tangible.
The future of AI isn’t predetermined. It will be shaped by the collective imagination, efforts, and ethical considerations of researchers, developers, policymakers, and engaged citizens. Right now, a handful of large tech companies dominate AI development, their trajectories largely guided by market pressures and shareholder interests. If the rest of us remain passive observers, we abdicate our responsibility to determine the future trajectory of this technology.
To have a productive conversation, we will almost certainly need to dispense with most of the existing cultural reference points we have inherited from science fiction, and replace them with new metaphors that help us understand how the technology really works. With a clearer view, we’ll be able to progress beyond both utopian fantasies and apocalyptic fears and focus instead on practical, ethical frameworks for development and deployment.
We don’t claim to have all the answers. But we believe in the power of open, informed dialogue. So if you’re interested in actually finding solutions to the challenges ahead, make sure you check in with us from time to time, and let us know what you think in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
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