Are we currently building a Digital God?

I woke up this morning intending to run some errands and so I packed my stuff and hopped in my car. As I started my car, I habitually opened google maps and typed in my destination that was only a few miles away. I was not confident in my ability to get there on my own even though I had driven to this exact location many times before. The reason I still could not navigate on my own was because I had successfully delegated the task of navigation to the almighty google app and no longer chose to think  or even be present as I drove through my city. As I clicked “start navigation” I jokingly thought to myself “All praise Google, please show me the way!” and then I mindlessly drove with my eyes halfway focused on traffic, halfway glued to directions that blinked on my phone screen. 

This is a common and highly relatable experience that many of us go through where we throw away our own intuition and put our trust in our technology to “lead us to salvation” As I joked about google showing me the way, there was an undertone beneath my words that gave me a chilling feeling;  I began to realize that even though I had been living in this city for over 20 years, there weren't many places within my city that I felt comfortable traveling to without the assistance of google maps. One could argue that I wasn't really joking much at all, and that I had truly become a disciple of google’s divine guidance. “Jesus take the wheel”  had become more than just popular phrasing, but really Jesus had been reborn as a digital application.

In recent years, technology companies like Google have become increasingly influential and have gained significant public trust. These companies have developed powerful search engines and AI algorithms that can provide quick access to information and assist in decision-making processes. As a result, many individuals rely on these tools for various aspects of their lives, such as finding information, making recommendations, or even managing daily tasks.

While technology has undoubtedly brought numerous benefits, there are concerns about the potential over-reliance on these tools and the impact it may have on human decision-making processes. It's possible for individuals to become overly dependent on search engines or AI recommendations, sometimes disregarding their own intuition or critical thinking abilities.

 Our recent technological advancements seem to be reaching some sort of pinnacle point of no return…

This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg in relation to our increasing reliance on technology. In recent years, the immense processing power of Artificial Intelligence and Big data has only just begun to come to light. Ai has finally begun to become mainstream with programs such as Chat GPT,  taking the world for a loop as we try to come to terms with the speed with which Ai continuously evolves at rapid frequency in front of our eyes. Our recent technological advancements seem to be reaching some sort of pinnacle point of no return; this is a full circle moment, where many of us are beginning to realize what a certain few of us have been keen to and have feared for many years. We are successfully building a digital collective consciousness.

With this realization comes many burning questions along with it. Is a Digital Collective consciousness any different from a Digital God that us puny humans will inevitably worship?

Well what exactly is a Digital Collective Consciousness anyway?

The concept of a digital collective consciousness refers to the idea that the vast network of interconnected individuals and digital systems can function as a unified entity, sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights. It envisions a collective intelligence that emerges from the collaboration and interaction of people, data, and artificial intelligence within the digital realm.

In this concept, the digital collective consciousness is imagined as a decentralized and interconnected network where information is shared, processed, and collectively harnessed for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole. It involves aggregating vast amounts of data, analyzing patterns, and extracting knowledge to make informed decisions and predictions.

The notion of a digital collective consciousness often arises from the belief that with the advancements in technology, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and big data, we can tap into the collective wisdom of humanity, transcending individual perspectives and limitations. By leveraging the power of algorithms, machine learning, and data analytics, it becomes possible to extract valuable insights from diverse sources and collaborate on solving complex problems.

This breakdown of what a Digital Collective Consciousness is leans more towards an optimistic eye, focusing more so on what it could be when used responsibly. Enthusiasts of these technological advancements like to paint a picture of an harmonious balance and inevitable fusion of human creativity and ingenuity enhanced by Artificially intelligent processing power. A tech enthusiast might even argue that yes, we are building something like a Hybrid God 2.0,  half human/ half Ai; paving the way to bring the singularity to fruition. 

Many believe that these technological advancements could potentially evolve at levels beyond human comprehension!

But this is not our first rodeo, and unfortunately powerful tools that could, in theory, revolutionize the world, are typically placed in the wrong hands. Many believe that these technological advancements could potentially evolve at levels beyond human comprehension, and we could be actually building our very own personal SKYNET! (for those unfamiliar with this Terminator reference, please ask google for divine guidance and clarity) The truth is, Artificial intelligence's powerful processing capabilities combined with big data can indeed be misused for malicious purposes. Here are a few ways in which AI's processing of big data can be exploited:

1. Manipulation and misinformation: AI algorithms can be used to analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns of human behavior and preferences. This information can be leveraged to manipulate individuals or influence their opinions through targeted advertising, personalized misinformation, or social engineering techniques.
2. Deepfake technology: AI algorithms can generate highly realistic fake audio, video, or text content through deepfake technology such as AI generated rendering of the late Michael Jackson singing Ice Spice’s “Munch” word for word. This actually exists folks. This can be used to spread misinformation, create forged evidence, or manipulate public figures' statements, potentially leading to reputational damage or even political unrest.
3. Cyberattacks and hacking: AI-powered algorithms can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and launch sophisticated cyberattacks. By analyzing data on user behavior and system weaknesses, AI can automate the identification and exploitation of security flaws, resulting in data breaches, financial fraud, or disruption of critical infrastructure.
4. Biased decision-making: AI algorithms are trained on large datasets, which may contain biases present in the data itself or introduced through the training process. If not properly addressed, these biases can lead to discriminatory outcomes in areas such as hiring, lending, or law enforcement, reinforcing existing societal prejudices and inequalities.
5. Surveillance and invasion of privacy: AI's ability to process vast amounts of data enables surveillance systems that can monitor and track individuals' activities, behaviors, and preferences on a massive scale. If used without appropriate safeguards, this can infringe upon privacy rights and lead to mass surveillance and unwarranted intrusion into people's lives.

So just which kind of digital God are we haphazardly building here? It is safe to say that It is crucial to have responsible and ethical practices in place to mitigate these risks. Regulations, transparency, and accountability mechanisms should be implemented to ensure the ethical use of AI and protect against malicious intentions. Ongoing research and development of robust security measures, privacy protection techniques, and bias mitigation strategies are essential in addressing these challenges. But are the implications of Ai simply too large to regulate? Are these Godlike processing powers being used by a select few to observe and manipulate human behavior at a global scale? 

Personally I am inclined to believe that the answer to both of these questions are both yes and yes. We are entering a new world of uncharted territory that will bring new context to the question, which god do you believe in? 

What are your thoughts on this?