Are people still afraid of the “machines”?
The machine-phobia is not new. Since the first machines were invented there were voices that were against them. Even though machines and computers have helped the work of billions of people and they still do, there is always skepticism about the use of the new technology. There are people who are more skeptical than others in regards to the correct use of the algorithms and there are other people who are afraid of anything that is new. Indeed, algorithms can be used for both the benefit of humanity but can be also used for the benefit of some people. Bunz (2014) looks at the algorithms and how they started to write using the example of a sport algorithm that automates based on a pre-written template. Nowadays, these discussions are around Artificial Intelligence (AI). John Seabrook questions (2019) whether the computer is his co-writer as algorithms suggest words and sentences based on your previous writings or other million of Gmail users. AI can predict a person’s risk of heart disease (Gregory 2022), or AI can potentially help us talk to animals (Corbyn 2022) and many other innovations that use AI to improve our lives and fulfill our curiosity.
As the technology involves and algorithms can be used for both human benefit or for the benefit of few there will always be people that are afraid or skeptical of the algorithms.
Bunz, M. (2014). When Algorithms Learned How to Write. In: The Silent Revolution. Palgrave Pivot, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137373502_1
Corbyn, Z. (2022). Can artificial intelligence really help us talk to the animals?, The Observer, The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jul/31/can-artificial-intelligence-really-help-us-talk-to-the-animals [accessed 18 October 2022]
Gregory, A. (2022). AI eye checks can predict heart disease risk in less than minute, finds study, The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/04/ai-eye-checks-can-predict-heart-disease-risk-in-less-than-minute-finds-study [accessed 18 October 2022]
Seabrook J. (2019) The Next Word, The New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/10/14/can-a-machine-learn-to-write-for-the-new-yorker [accessed 18 October 2022]
