To be utterly despondent about AI

[AnotherGreyMorning]

and our future?

Jobs becoming obsolete. People unable to earn a living.

Villains harnessing for their own ends.

It will all move far too fast and at sophisticated levels for even the most dedicated to manage.

Governments will be stunned by it. People will really suffer.

I just feel quiet dread because whilst life will be great for the wealthy and those who are protected, for the vast majority, I think it will be hellish.

I thought this quote from the Guardian article above was fascinating.

"What cars did to horses and carts, and electricity to gas lamps, and digital cameras to Kodak, are templates for the coming shock, he says. “Technology has a new target in its crosshairs – and that’s us. That’s our labour.”

There have been previous 'revolutions' but they mostly did away with manual labour or repetitive mundane tasks. But we adapted to that because the human 'USP' isn't strength, speed or dexterity, but intelligence. It's that which has given us the edge over all other species. If we now have something which is more intelligent - perhaps much more intelligent - than even the brightest Cambridge nuclear scientist, then that will call into question the very nature of humanity.

Sure, but there was always a class of gentry that didn't need to work, plus many of us have a couple of decades of not working when we retire. I think most people can amuse themselves quite well, especially when you consider the wealth of entertainment AI will offer. I can't paint like a grand master, or play the piano like a virtuoso, but that doesn't stop me enjoying those things.

Interestingly there's been studies of hunter-gatherer tribal societies which show that they only 'work' a couple of hours a day and spend the rest of the time lying around gossiping and having a laugh.

Trouble is we're increasingly disconnected from any sense of purpose these days, other than the fetishisation of work and accumulating wealth, both of which mired in complication.

Our instinctive urges (which I know some will balk against the very notion of) of nesting, procreating and leisure have all become consumed by political and economic influence.

Progress made towards equality, whether it's to do with the two sexes, or education or opportunity is being pulled around between ever shifting and nebulous goal posts, and regression is happening.

When the basics like housing and food etc are covered, people have a chance of adapting and improving for both themselves and the wider community. When one is forced into a situation of basic survival, without any sense of security, one becomes incredibly vulnerable to making less than optimal choices in the vain hope it will bring about sustainable change. Precarious employment for example, subject to the whims of geopolitics etc.

AI and so much technology is definitely more circus than bread, offering escape and massaging brain chemistry, and offering alternatives to human interaction. I truly believe that so much of the worlds problems stem from this mass experiment that is being undertaken to just "see what happens" without proper oversight or care.

Those who do care are being overridden by the most bizarre demonstration of toxic positivity i have ever seen.

Serious real world problems and desperate situations are being glossed over or monetised for clicks and kudos.

It all has the whiff of cult about it, and naysayers are being ridiculed.

Add into that a pervasive message that humans are the problem and suggestions that if one is unable to fully participate in society on the economic front, then you serve no purpose, and it's doing immeasurable damage to the human psyche. We seem to be experiencing a collective existential crisis.

And then the doors will open to religious style cults, with all the harm that can bring.

I envy those who can surf along, living in the moment, cushioned by joy and gratitude, saying "what will be will be" despite the growing evidence of chaos all around, I really do. But I'm not wired that way, and statistically I'm not alone.

I don't have any answers. I wish I did.

It’s the salami slice tactics that will land us in dystopia. Our local news had an item the other day that AI cameras are being installed in an area where litter is a problem due to the number of drive through takeaways - the cameras spot when a driver throws inside from the car and can even identify what rubbish it is. Drivers will get a warning letter not a fine (yet). On the face of it - tackling discarded rubbish is a good thing. Thinking about it - how far will this go? It is the next step to cameras everywhere identifying us and all our movements, but each step justified for a “good” reason.

Just because we can do something like that, doesn’t mean we should. It’s all very well the people who say that if you don’t do anything illegal then you have nothing to fear, but the Post Office/Horizon scandal ruined the lives of hundreds of innocent members of our community under the democratic governments of the last 25 years - it doesn’t take much imagination to see how many more injustices could be done to innocent people in a future society. We’re only one election away from getting a populist government, America has already elected a demagogue.

But when a generation grows up thinking of art or creativity as something you do with a few clicks, will they really be motivated to put the time and effort into creating something themselves?

And I agree that the notion of 'full time work' is relatively recent in our history as a species. But again, if AI takes over so many everyday interactions, what effect will that have on our desire to socialise? Even now, you hear stories of young people not going out to meet others the way previous generations did, and preferring to 'socialise' from their screens.

What you describe is a stealth approach to implementing the "social credit" system operating in China and much admired by other world leaders.

I completely understand why you might feel anxious about AI. It's a powerful and fast-developing technology, and with that comes a lot of unknowns and valid concerns. What’s important to remember is that AI, like any tool, reflects the intentions and values of the people who create and use it. That means we — as a society — have a responsibility to guide its development thoughtfully and ethically.
There are many researchers, organizations, and communities working hard to ensure AI is used safely and fairly — focusing on human-centered values like privacy, transparency, and accountability. And it’s okay to ask questions, be skeptical, and want to understand more. The more we talk openly about these things, the better we can shape AI in ways that truly benefit people. You're not alone in your concern, and it's a good thing you're thinking critically about it."

Did you use AI to write that? 😁

Yes I feel we’re sleepwalking to this

Just look at how much less competent we are nowadays than we were say 100 years ago. Back then people would remember things. Nowadays our retentive memories have dwindled because we don't NEED to remember anything, we can just look it up every time. We are using computers as remote memory devices. How many other basic human skills will we lose when we've got a short cut workaround to use instead?

Not making human jobs obsolete yet. As with everything in life it’s going to have a sinister side sooner or later. I think when gates and musk said annihilate human job by 80% they meant it. People need to pay attention to what they say. It’s not a conspiracy when the AI main man’s tell you he thinks AI will become more powerful, we aren’t even at stage 1 yet. they say within 10 years there will hardly be jobs for humans lol. Not sure where it will go from there.

I was just over on Facebook, and there's a site called 'Revoicer' whose slogan is 'What would a clone of your voice sound like?' inviting people to record a sample of their voice to 'hear what it sounds like cloned'. In other words, give a sample of your voice to a site that might use it for anything... ? I don't think so.

Im more positive than most i think - i can see huge benefits in speeding up admin burden that weighs so many industries down and get in the way of doing more of what's the important and interesting part of a job

we have a hugely inefficient public sector weighed down by this burden - imagine if that were lifted and teachers could reach again, social workers visit families, nhs waiting lists are ordered and streamlined,

Sure, but do you think Russia and China are being so careful?

I bet millions are though.

This is definitely a worry- there are some very realistic AI videos out there of Steven Bartlett asking you to invest. Then you have someone like Martin Lewis, a trusted household name. It breaks his heart when someone gets scammed by someone impersonating him.

I dont think out working patterns are intrinsic to human nature. They are intrinsic to capitalism though. And given the people pushing onwards with AI are the most pro-capitalist you can get, i can't see them wanting to or even being able to imagine a situation where "earning potential" didn't equate with "net worth". So I don't think UBI is likely.
Musk talks about UBI but is also enraged at the idea of the state wasting tax money on feeding veterans, providing meals on wheels,.providing aids medication to South Africans. He and his tech bro friends aren't going to suddenly start redistricting their wealth to make UBI a working proposition.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jul/13/student-debt-graduates-share-job-hunting-woes-ai-fallout

Another interesting article.

Why do luddites never learn. How many lessons from history do they need. Calm down, AI is just another chapter in tech advancement.

It really isn't.

It's on another level entirely.

Oh you sweet, summer child.

The Luddites did learn. The hard way.

https://www.thoughtlab.com/blog/the-luddites-how-we-get-them-wrong-and-the-true-lessons/#:~:text=The%20Luddites%20didn't%20hate,That%20was%20all%20they%20wanted.

Machinery in manufacturing replaced many jobs but also opened up new opportunities. So yes, you might initially think AI will open up new opportunities, and it may. But all those new jobs can be done by AI as well.
AI is a whole other ball game

That article makes for depressing reading.

Businesses are flooded with AI applications.

However, employers aren't hiring because they can get AI to do the job.

And students don't have the skills required because they've been using AI to do their assignments.

What a mess. And we're just at the start of it.