I enjoyed reading this! Do you think that the "AI-gurus" on social media are contributing to the lack of understanding around AI ethics? Everyone seems to have a list of use cases, but no one (at least none on my feed) is discussing how AI will change society itself.
That’s definitely a part of it. I also think there’s an incentive for AI companies to maintain some of the mystique around it. You see the almost anthropomorphising of AI and the assignment of agency, i.e. “Is AI going to take our jobs?”, whereas the real question might be closer to: “Are employers going to use AI to justify more layoffs?” There’s a human making a decision there, AI isn’t going to independently do anything, and I feel like that needs to be talked about and considered.
Absolutely! Every time I see a claim like that, I remind myself that it's just a clever algorithm. However, I am concerned that those in power will abuse AI to exploit people who don't understand the technology or who are already facing systemic unfairness. I think AI governance lags behind the rapid development of these models. I hope there might be a future letter on these topics. I would love to hear your thoughts!
I agree, that’s definitely a concern I share as well. One for a future essay for sure. In the meantime, if you aren’t already reading @luizajarovsky, strong recc. She has a lot of thoughts on AI governance that I’m enjoying reading.
This is such a needed perspective. We often treat AI as just a tool, ignoring the deeper infrastructure and ideology it carries - which explains why so many implementations stall. That gap between theory and reality is exactly what makes this conversation so important.
So happy you did this! Looking forward to getting a second-hand Cambridge education in AI, one newsletter at a time 🤓
Thank you! I’ll do my best to do justice to it 🫡
Like ethics, AI is a floating signifier.
A floating signifier, isn't that such a lovely expression.
I hope everyday you feel a little better Eman 🙂
Isn't it? I think it was Claude Lévi-Strauss who coined it! And thank you so much!
I enjoyed reading this! Do you think that the "AI-gurus" on social media are contributing to the lack of understanding around AI ethics? Everyone seems to have a list of use cases, but no one (at least none on my feed) is discussing how AI will change society itself.
That’s definitely a part of it. I also think there’s an incentive for AI companies to maintain some of the mystique around it. You see the almost anthropomorphising of AI and the assignment of agency, i.e. “Is AI going to take our jobs?”, whereas the real question might be closer to: “Are employers going to use AI to justify more layoffs?” There’s a human making a decision there, AI isn’t going to independently do anything, and I feel like that needs to be talked about and considered.
Absolutely! Every time I see a claim like that, I remind myself that it's just a clever algorithm. However, I am concerned that those in power will abuse AI to exploit people who don't understand the technology or who are already facing systemic unfairness. I think AI governance lags behind the rapid development of these models. I hope there might be a future letter on these topics. I would love to hear your thoughts!
I agree, that’s definitely a concern I share as well. One for a future essay for sure. In the meantime, if you aren’t already reading @luizajarovsky, strong recc. She has a lot of thoughts on AI governance that I’m enjoying reading.
This is such a needed perspective. We often treat AI as just a tool, ignoring the deeper infrastructure and ideology it carries - which explains why so many implementations stall. That gap between theory and reality is exactly what makes this conversation so important.
Thank you! The next reflection actually goes a little bit deeper into this and explores how technology isn’t neutral.
That sounds fascinating - looking forward to reading it.