AI, Killing Society?
The dawn of the artificial intelligence (AI) era has revolutionized the world, bestowing machines with the ability to outperform human cognitive abilities in various tasks. While AI presents its own limitations and drawbacks, it has profoundly influenced our social lives, permeating our culture, ethics, and relationships. In this article, we will explore the implications of AI on our social fabric, delving into its influence on authenticity, emotional expression, traditions, and work productivity. We will also address the stereotypes and resistance that have accompanied AI\’s integration into society.
Authenticity in the Age of AI
Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a Twitter space with seasoned digital marketers, and one of the most crucial takeaways was the immense value of authenticity in maximizing results from digital marketing efforts. Being real, creating content that reflects actual human situations.
Its important to know that creating content using AI can pose challenges, as it may result in messages that are too mechanical, lack emotional connection or stray off-topic. The nascent nature of AI means that it may not fully comprehend the nuances of human experiences, making it crucial for content creators to provide adequate instructions and editing to ensure authenticity and resonance.
Enhanced Emotional Expression
Ties in society are strengthened as people express themselves authentically and emotionally, forging deeper connections and understanding among individuals. Genuine self-expression fosters empathy and encourages open communication, hence building a stronger and more cohesive social fabric. Surprisingly, sometimes AI can help us express how we feel even better than we do. For example in a birthday party, a graduation or any other ceremony, you cannot go blank because ChatGPT got you with what you need to say and sound fully immersed in the emotion. Even if its an exe\’s wedding.
Preserving Traditions
Something about Artificial Intelligence is the fact that it doesn\’t bring anything new. AI, at its core, is a repository of collective human knowledge, accessible within seconds. This attribute allows AI to encapsulate the traditions, practices, and wisdom of various cultures, safeguarding their continuity. Furthermore, AI tools typically refrain from offering subjective opinions or misleading advice, making them a valuable resource in a world fraught with misinformation. That is a remarkable contrast to human behavior, which often involves misinformation, lack of information, snitching, lying, and misleading others – aspects that AI refrains from engaging in.
AI and Laziness
Critics often raise concerns about AI fostering laziness among individuals. However, it is essential to recognize that laziness has always existed, and AI is merely a tool. In Africa, we still had people like Unoka in Things Fall Apart, who lacked responsibility. He was poor, lazy, and neglectful of his wife, and he did not plan for the future. During his life, he never took a title and, therefore, never gained status or respect from the villagers. Instead, they called him a loafer, and he was the laughingstock of the community.
For those who are genuinely passionate about their endeavors, AI has come to significantly enhance productivity by offering novel ideas, creativity and improving your ability to communicate through giving instructions and receiving feedback. In the beginning of this month at TEDxBuruburu, I met James Muindi, one of the speakers and who is currently practicing farming using ChatGPT. Infact, rather than competing with humanity, AI complements and empowers human capabilities, creating a symbiotic relationship for mutual growth.
My Personal Experience with AI
On a personal level, I frequently rely on AI to accomplish various tasks, from computer autocomplete to generating code. However, there are instances where I deliberately opt to eschew AI\’s assistance, especially when I have message I\’d like to communicate in not too formal English, when I want to intentionally break grammar rules, when I want to tell stories with raw human error, in such times, I don\’t use AI.
Addressing Stereotypes and Resistance
You recall we are coming from a history where just a few years ago, joining Facebook was viewed as some sort of cult. Those of us who grew up in the village. Days when you could browse on a Nokia 3310 on opera mini using direct airtime not necessarily data bindles, know this.
AI\’s Single Story
The integration of AI into society has not been without its challenges. Resistance to change is a natural human response, as Emile Durkheim states. But as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says, The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they aren\’t true, but they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”
Conclusion
By embracing AI as a valuable resource while remaining cognizant of its limitations, we can harness its power to create a more enriched and interconnected world. Let us be vigilant in challenging stereotypes and resistance, allowing AI to unfold its true potential in collaboration with humanity. As we move forward, ethical considerations and continuous learning will serve as the guiding light, shaping a future where AI and human ingenuity work hand in hand to propel us towards a better and more equitable world.
–By Boniface Muema Harrison
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