Pretty soon the internet is going to be filled with even more bots than it already is. On the plus side, it gives me a reason to just turn off the simulation and go do something real instead, or something that feels real.
AI is likely going to render everything it touches meaningless, and it won't be long before people long for the 'simple' days before it ever even existed in this form. Back when things were fun and we had no idea.
I asked AI what it thought of this for you:
"It's true that the use of AI and bots is growing rapidly in many areas, including social media, customer service, and e-commerce. While they have the potential to bring many benefits, such as increased efficiency and improved user experiences, there are also concerns about their impact on society.
One of the potential negative effects of the increased use of AI and bots is the potential for dehumanization and the loss of personal connections. As AI systems become more advanced, they may be able to mimic human behavior and communication, but they lack the emotional depth and empathy that comes with genuine human interaction. This can lead to a sense of alienation and disconnection for individuals, which may contribute to feelings of meaninglessness and dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, it's important to note that AI and bots are simply tools created by humans, and it's up to us to use them responsibly and in ways that align with our values and goals. As technology continues to advance, it's important to consider the ethical implications of our choices and the potential impact they may have on society.
Ultimately, the impact of AI and bots on our lives and our sense of meaning will depend on how we choose to use and interact with them. While it's natural to feel apprehensive about new technologies, it's important to approach them with an open mind and a willingness to adapt and learn as we navigate the changing digital landscape."
Which I mostly agree with. Meaninglessness is a feeling, but what AI does isn't meaningless. Meaning isn't something as dry as "a person did it". It's what we make of things. And people are already getting something out of AI-generated information. It's been entertaining, assisting and on the rare occasion caring for people for a solid few years now. If anything, AI's capacity to be as chaotic in terms of having good and bad results for the world makes it little different from any other great invention of the past. The attachment to the real and how people handle that is going to be a more prominent element of spiritual growth in the future though that's for sure. It's well and truly leaving the bounds of hypothetical philosophy now.
