There is no turning back from the worst social media have unleashed in humans
Could AI save us from human narcissism and stupidity that are ruling the world? A byline with ChatGPT-4
The unprecedented advancements in information technology, particularly social media, have inadvertently exposed the worst facets of human nature, rapidly altering the social fabric and traditional power structures. In this digital age, where anyone can become an influencer, our capacity to discern truth from misinformation is increasingly strained, raising profound questions about the impact on our democratic systems.
Pre-social media era, information was disseminated via vertical structures; media, professionals, politicians, and influencers held a monopoly on broadcasting knowledge. Regardless of their integrity, those at the top were seen as the best in their field, with the general public looking up to them as authoritative figures. This hierarchical paradigm established norms and ethics that were largely adhered to, with the fear of social ostracization acting as a deterrent against antisocial behavior.
However, the advent of social media has triggered a seismic shift, dismantling these vertical structures and democratizing information access. The common person, previously relegated to the role of a passive observer, is now an active participant in information production and dissemination. This newfound agency, while empowering, has also created a phenomenon of "armchair experts", those who claim expertise based on a cursory understanding of complex issues, often derived from sensationalized headlines designed for clickbait. This paradigm shift has outpaced our cognitive evolution, leaving us ill-equipped to navigate this new information landscape.
The veil of anonymity provided by online profiles has further exacerbated this issue, emboldening individuals to exhibit their worst impulses with little fear of reprisal. This change is far-reaching and prevalent in the political landscape as well. Figures like Trump, Musk, Carlson, and others have capitalized on this environment, where being the worst version of oneself under one's own name has become not only acceptable but also lucrative. The success of such figures feeds into a collective narcissism, suggesting to people that they too can "make it" not even despite, or but exactly because of, their glaring imperfections.
These circumstances beg the question, "how did we get here?" It is unrealistic to assume that people have suddenly transformed; rather, they have been unmasked. Society's formerly enforced norms and ethics, which necessitated people to conceal their worst selves, are being disregarded in an environment that not only tolerates but rewards such behavior (This makes it both impossible and implausible to convince Trump supporters to see through who he “really” is—they already know, and they love him because of it, not in spite of it). It isn't an isolated phenomenon reserved for Trump supporters, however; it pervades across the political spectrum, as evidenced by the support for figures like “The-I-Did-My-Own-Researcher-In-Chief” Bobby Kennedy Jr. among Democrats.
Addressing this issue requires a fundamental shift in our worldview. The romantic notion that "every human being is innately good and deserving of the best" needs reevaluation. The stark reality is that many people are driven by base emotions and impulses. These traits are now being celebrated and monetized on social media, making it a seemingly intractable problem.
Saving our democracy from morphing into ochlocracy, or mob rule, presents a formidable challenge. On one hand, limiting voting rights based on intellectual ability or educational qualifications would infringe on democratic principles. On the other hand, a continued trend towards populism threatens the very essence of democracy. A radical solution could be to eliminate voting altogether, at least at the national level. This might seem drastic, but the rapid development in artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies may hold the key to such a transformation.
Here, dear readers, I turned to ChatGPT-4 and asked it to outline scenarios in which AI and VR could transform the voting system, helping us avoid falling into mob rule. Full disclosure: As a non-native speaker, I also utilized ChatGPT-4 to check my grammar and clarity in the above-written part of the essay.
Here is the first prompt I got from ChatGPT-4:
“The integration of AI into the political process could lead to more rational and efficient decision-making. AI systems could analyze vast amounts of data, consider all variables, and produce unbiased conclusions that support the common good. These algorithms could be designed to resist populist influences and maintain a focus on long-term societal health. In this scenario, AI would not replace politicians but rather enhance their decision-making abilities by providing them with data-driven insights.
VR, on the other hand, can play a pivotal role in increasing public understanding of complex policy issues. Through immersive experiences, citizens could gain firsthand understanding of the implications of policy decisions, fostering a more informed electorate. This could counteract the shallow understanding propagated by misleading headlines, and further foster empathy by allowing users to experience life from the perspectives of others”
I thought that the notion of designing AI algorithms to resist populist influences, and of enhancing politicians' decision-making abilities through data-driven insights, might inadvertently play into the hands of populists rather than shield against them. So I asked ChatGPT-4 to “give me another scenario, in which AI would replace politicians to avoid bad actors from exploiting the worst instincts in people”. Here’s the response I received:
“The use of AI has the potential to revolutionize the political landscape and potentially even replace human politicians to some extent. This idea hinges on the possibility of creating an advanced AI system that could make objective, data-driven policy decisions.
In this scenario, an AI "politician" could analyze vast amounts of data from a variety of sources, including economic trends, environmental data, social science research, public opinion surveys, and much more. This AI system could then use this data to generate policy proposals based on an unbiased interpretation of the facts. The focus of such an AI would not be on winning elections or appealing to the lowest common denominator but instead on providing the most beneficial solutions for society as a whole.
The AI system could operate under a set of predefined ethical guidelines, carefully designed to protect human rights, ensure fairness, and promote overall societal well-being. Without the human frailties of bias, self-interest, or susceptibility to corruption, this AI could remain unswayed by populist influences and instead maintain a steadfast focus on data-driven, rational policymaking.
Furthermore, the use of such AI could create an unprecedented level of transparency in governance. Every decision could be traced back to the raw data and the decision-making process could be audited by independent entities. This would minimize the chances for any form of manipulation or misinformation, thereby fostering trust in the political process.
However, it's important to note that while AI might serve as a tool for rational, data-driven decision-making, the human element in governance remains crucial. Human judgement, empathy, and creativity are factors that are currently irreplaceable by AI. A more plausible model might involve a symbiosis between AI and human governance, where AI assists in informed decision-making while humans provide the nuanced judgement and emotional understanding necessary for effective leadership.
To summarize, while AI holds the potential to significantly improve our political processes by eliminating bad actors and focusing on data-driven decision making, it is not without its challenges. As we contemplate this potential future, it is vital to ensure that AI systems are developed and implemented responsibly, with a primary focus on human welfare and democratic integrity”.
I think we could definitely start by exploring the following option : The focus of such an AI would not be on winning elections or appealing to the lowest common denominator but instead on providing the most beneficial solutions for society as a whole.
What do you think?