The possibility of it being integrated into the human body is becoming increasingly inevitable and terrifying. I read during my initial research that AI algorithms used in social media are now often used to detect suicidal tendencies in people through analysis of their profiles & activity online. As well as potential terrorists being singled out through these same tracking methods. The first thing that struck me about this was whether or not it was fair for these peoples activity and information to be subjugated, no matter what the incentives may be. If it weren't for the invasive methods used in getting hold of this information then these people would not have been called out for suicidal or terrorist tendencies in the first place - so surely the act of getting this information is an unethical invasion of someones privacy? How many people experience this invasion of privacy when they don't actually pose any threat to themselves or society in the first place?
Something that this really reminded me of was George Orwell's, 1984. With social media and AI beginning to resemble the 'Thought Police', a governmental organisation that have the capability of detaining people based on what they're thinking. Judging by the amount of time up and coming generations are giving to the internet and social media, there is a likely chance that AI could become sophisticated enough to interpret their online activity much like our mental thought processes. If this where to become the case then what does that mean for our freedom of discretion and privacy?
This train of thought led me to a slightly darker yet still plausible idea of what our future could consist of. I read an article that stated technological advancements could allow for debilitating illness such as dementia to be 'deleted' from someones brain using computer software (much like the removal of a bugged file on your laptop). Or for damaging childhood memories to be deleted from ones mind in order to rid someone of any associated mental health issues. At first glance this all sounds well and good. But now that we are beginning to defy nature in such a way aren't we beginning to lose the essence of what actually makes us human? All these experiences, be them painful or happy, make us who we are and therefor meddling with the organ that supplies us with our understanding of the world around us could be detrimental to our existence.
With this intertwining of technology and biology, is there a chance we could begin to experience vulnerability to those same viruses that previously only affected laptops and phones..? And if so, how would this unravel? We already know that even the most superior and advanced governments and societies are constantly at risk from hackers, once the hackers gain access to our minds and bodies where do the possibilities end and who can protect us?
A few questions that all this thinking prompted:
- Would there be a significant event that would've kickstarted this dystopia?
- Could this kickstart the end of society as we know it? Hackers may gain enough power and control to monopolise the world...!?
- How would the surrounding world be affected? Would some countries or areas be resistant or refuse to comply?
- How would the future inhabitants of Earth look back on our past? And what things would they want changed?
- May there be hospitals specifically for digitally contracted illness?
- How would someone be treated for such a virus? What would this scene look like?
- What would being infected with a digital virus feel like? Would your perception of reality change? Would it be painful? Maybe you won't even realise and you'll just be under mental control?
- How would this evolve as an issue? Would it potentially be the end of us as a species?
"Synthetic Biology could lead to a world where hackers could engineer viruses or bacteria to control human minds."
- Andrew Hessel, of Singularity University
In order to progress with this brief I intend to begin answering the questions I've proposed here visually. Through the use of mind maps and drawing I hope that ideas will begin to materialise through exhaustive methods of drawing.
