New Dark Age: Technology and the End of the Future by James Bridle.
James holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and Cognitive Science from University College London. He is a contributor to Wired, The Atlantic, and The Guardian. He remains an Adjunct Professor at New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program.
So, does the creation of massive data sets make the world better? Perhaps not according to James. It would appear the data models in use are not sufficient anymore. In some cases the algorithms are revealing bias and lack of transparency by vendors.
As a result, James takes a position that even with Big Data accessible to more and more people, we are living in a new dark age. Hence the title of his book.
In general James is acknowledging how recent technology has led to the concentration of wealth to a small group of individuals and key corporations. As a result our social inequalities continue. He position includes the idea that data is no longer about facts alone but is now embedded into our current social conditions.
Technology changed the world well before ChatGPT
Are the emerging AI solutions simply too complex? James argues this leads to many struggling to understand the basics of how these new technology systems operate, drive revenue, and exploit society. For example he writes about centaur chess, the defeat of Garry Kasparov against IBM’s Deep Blue computer in 1997.
If we’re in ignorance of what our robots are doing, how can we know if we’re being harmed?
Are the emerging AI solutions simply too complex? James argues this leads to many struggling to understand the basics of how these new technology systems operate, drive revenue, and exploit society. For example he writes about centaur chess, the defeat of Garry Kasparov against IBM’s Deep Blue computer in 1997.
Consider reading Unmasking AI, Algorithms of Oppression, Atlas of AI, or Think for Yourself:
In conclusion, James is asking readers to be more aware and certainly proactive in navigating this complex change in our technology and society. It was interesting to understand this book was published in 2018 well before ChatGPT and AI changed the world. Another updated message must be for readers to understand the new AI systems that are continuing to drive a small group of investors well into the billions of dollars in revenue while many continue to go without benefits of AI.