“There’s no way to escape,” the man and woman next to me confidently asserted. I was listening intently to their comments while participating in a panel discussion focused on civic participation—an event we were both invited to join. Another member of their team was present as well, reinforcing their arguments and providing a united front for their perspectives.
The discussion centered around the impact of artificial intelligence on decision-making processes, with implications on both political and business levels. However, they completely overlooked the potential downsides of AI, opting to focus solely on the advantages it purportedly brings. This is hardly surprising, given that their work is not only centered on emerging technologies but also financially benefits from advancements in AI.
While they were passionate in advocating for their positions, their transparency was lacking, much like the algorithms they championed. To the audience, they appeared as nothing more than professors from a private Portuguese university, which made their vested interest seem merely academic.
However, no reputable academic can honestly deny the troubling effects associated with artificial intelligence. This issue transcends a simple love-or-hate relationship with technology; it centers on the necessity of relying on factual evidence instead of naively trusting our personal beliefs or interests.
This was the critical point I aimed to convey during the panel, especially after hearing their optimistic claims about AI. They extolled the potential of AI to predict human behavior and how it could lead to greater productivity and increased wealth for nations. At one moment, the duo confidently stated that sooner or later, AI would be making all the significant decisions for us. “There’s no way to escape,” they maintained.
I firmly disagreed with this notion. While it is true that AI is becoming increasingly pervasive, it is equally clear that its integration into society poses serious risks, such as reinforcing existing inequalities and discrimination, promoting political agendas, and manipulating public opinion. These issues can threaten our civil rights, freedoms, and the very foundation of democracy itself.
We have witnessed similar patterns play out on social media platforms. Initially, these platforms promised to provide greater plurality and democratize access to amplify voices from marginalized communities. However, the reality has often resulted in a gain for the same powerful elites who have historically held sway.
This is why I hold reservations about AI. While it does offer distinct advantages—like using language correction tools to enhance my writing—ample evidence points to its significant drawbacks. Consider the troubling instances of racial profiling in the allocation of loans, police operations, and judicial rulings.
We know that algorithms can perpetuate the inherent biases of our society because they are molded by human input, and, regrettably, we all carry our biases. So, if the claim is that “there’s no way to escape,” what actionable steps can we take?
I maintain a belief that positive outcomes can and will emerge, regardless of the circumstances, echoing the sentiment that “the next big thing will come from many small, meaningful changes.”
The path to evade the pitfalls of AI lies in restoring confidence in our humanity. This is the essential revolution we need, and I am committed to contributing to this cause: our shared humanization. I utilize the power of language to craft narratives that inspire positive change and foster unity rather than exacerbate divisions. I genuinely believe that exposure to uplifting practices and exemplary actions can rekindle hope and counter feelings of resignation.
To illustrate this point, I created “Afrolink,” a digital platform designed to humanize and highlight the narratives of black lives. A fundamental choice I made was to consciously avoid featuring violence. I can and do address sensitive issues, but I refuse to share graphic images of people suffering or being harmed merely to capture audience attention. Additionally, I co-created a podcast called “O Tal” with two partners, where our conversations are firmly rooted in the theme of love. We draw inspiration from bell hooks’ insightful work, “All About Love.”
I find this approach both transformative and revolutionary, especially considering that algorithms tend to thrive on hate and polarization. Moving forward, I believe that we must focus on building a counter-power rooted in love while simultaneously creating digital communities for individuals seeking to distance themselves from the toxic influences of algorithms. In the end, love consistently provides the safest and most nurturing refuge for all.
