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Are we going to shape technology, or will we let it shape us? Dubbed by some as “The Decade of Destruction” and by others as “The Inform...
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| Are we going to shape technology, or will we let it shape us? |
A Decade of Unprecedented Change
To understand where we stand, it’s essential to reflect on the incredible technological milestones of the past decade. Global data consumption exploded, increasing from just 2 zettabytes in 2010 to 64.2 zettabytes in 2020, with projections suggesting it will exceed 180 zettabytes by 2025. By July 2024, more than 5.45 billion people—67.1% of the global population—were using the internet. The pace of broadband connectivity also accelerated, with average global download speeds doubling from 24.8 Mbps in 2020 to 46.8 Mbps in 2023.
Social media transformed how we communicate, with platforms like Facebook reaching over three billion monthly active users by 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated digital transformation, prompting a surge in cloud technology adoption and driving the public cloud computing market toward an estimated value of $675 billion in 2024. The introduction of 5G in 2018–2019 revolutionized connectivity, delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than its predecessor.
Among these advancements, AI stands out as a transformative force. Although its history dates back to the 1950s, AI became mainstream in 2020, thanks to breakthroughs in generative technologies such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL-E. These innovations promise unprecedented efficiency and productivity, cementing AI’s place in everyday life.
The Human Cost of Progress
This snapshot of milestones illustrates the profound changes of the last decade—a period defined by extraordinary technological progress that has seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our lives. Technology is now ubiquitous. It touches every facet of modern life—work, education, relationships, entertainment, healthcare, and social interactions. It has become so ingrained that imagining life without it seems nearly impossible. Yet, this omnipresence comes with a risk: overreliance.
Emerging technologies like AI, while offering enticing promises of efficiency and productivity, exacerbate this risk. If unchecked, our dependence on technology may lead us to a reality where humans no longer call the shots, and technologies like AI dictate the terms instead.
Every technological leap comes with trade-offs—not just financial costs but also human ones. These trade-offs are often ignored in our relentless pursuit of progress. While generative AI tools like ChatGPT undeniably make tasks faster and more efficient, they also pose subtle risks.
The existential danger posed by AI isn’t the apocalyptic fear of sentient machines deciding humanity’s fate. AI is far from achieving the kind of sentience required to make such broad, independent decisions. Instead, the danger is far more immediate and philosophical: the gradual erosion of our cognitive abilities.
Shaping the Future
Critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, memory, and social skills are fundamental traits that define us as humans. Yet, overreliance on technology undermines these abilities. Algorithms increasingly influence human decision-making, sometimes to the detriment of our capacity for judgment. AI also brings ethical dilemmas, such as bias in algorithms, which raises concerns about fairness and equity. A world governed by biased AI, coupled with diminished human judgment, is a troubling prospect.
Despite these risks, it’s not all doom and gloom. AI is still in its early stages and relies heavily on human input. We still have the agency to determine its role in our lives. The critical question remains: will we shape technology, or will we let it shape us?
To avoid overreliance, we need a conscious shift in mindset. This means using technology mindfully, setting boundaries, and maintaining a balance that safeguards our cognitive abilities. By doing so, we can embrace the benefits of progress without losing what makes us uniquely human.