I feel like this polarisation mentioned at the beginning is counterproductive and creates division that feeds the hype and (ultimately the burst. It is very human to operate in binaries to make sense of complexity. But we can also think reflectively. Let's recognise the spectrum of AI narratives and beliefs that are out there and make use of our agency over the language we use and the frame of reference we construct. This will ultimately shape the horizon of development of new solutions.
So true, the polarisation mentioned at the start touches upon the two broad camps in public discourse right now, but I totally agree with you that that the spectrum is more interesting and nuanced. I’m curious, in your view, what narrative about AI do you think gets overlooked the most right now? Or is there anything else you'd like for us to focus on next?
- submissive <----> dominating role of humans vs AI
- excitement <----> anxiety
- believers <---> non-believers
Each of them seems to push us to action - almost without thinking - and subscribe to one camp or church or the other. The fun begins when you start crossing them with each other and look at what comes out. One of the mappings shows 4 camps: (1) business-as-usual, (2) silicon rat race - where you march or die, (3) meadow of prosperity - that promises to solve crises (4) oracles of doom - the whistle blowing of energy consumption and discrimination.
I feel like this polarisation mentioned at the beginning is counterproductive and creates division that feeds the hype and (ultimately the burst. It is very human to operate in binaries to make sense of complexity. But we can also think reflectively. Let's recognise the spectrum of AI narratives and beliefs that are out there and make use of our agency over the language we use and the frame of reference we construct. This will ultimately shape the horizon of development of new solutions.
So true, the polarisation mentioned at the start touches upon the two broad camps in public discourse right now, but I totally agree with you that that the spectrum is more interesting and nuanced. I’m curious, in your view, what narrative about AI do you think gets overlooked the most right now? Or is there anything else you'd like for us to focus on next?
There are multiple dimensions, like the one you reference. In the past year, we've seen tensions between:
- competitive advantage <----> collective infrastructure
- submissive <----> dominating role of humans vs AI
- excitement <----> anxiety
- believers <---> non-believers
Each of them seems to push us to action - almost without thinking - and subscribe to one camp or church or the other. The fun begins when you start crossing them with each other and look at what comes out. One of the mappings shows 4 camps: (1) business-as-usual, (2) silicon rat race - where you march or die, (3) meadow of prosperity - that promises to solve crises (4) oracles of doom - the whistle blowing of energy consumption and discrimination.
Then you can also look at narratives that show AI as a tangible thing, tool -> a variable in a problem space -> a new problem space --> all the way to a paradigm shift. In our research, we defined 20 types of narratives. Here's more on it: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391280135_AI_Narratives_to_Shape_the_Future
This is great food for thought, thank you! Going to look into this and explore it in the next few episodes.. :)