Brianne Madeline Sy ABM 11-C TECH 01

ACTIVITY 2 TECH 01:

ICT TRENDS

In the third episode of the Black Mirror Season 5, we are given a representation

of the potential dangers that may come about if AI and ICT technology is misused, and

with the rate of advancement our world is currently in right now, it is even possible that

these kinds of technology too, will become a reality. One prominent theme of this

episode is the use of Artificial Intelligence or AI. It was ever-present, used as a means to

create an extension of a person by transferring the mind data of a human to a semi-

sentient being. This case was seen in the Ashley Too doll, in which Ashley O’s

consciousness was translated into data for the robot, and this made Ashley Too able to

think the same way as Ashley O did, as if she was the same person, but in a different

form. AI enables exactly this, as it allows the machine to mimic the brain activity of a

human. As for the other technologies, there were also a couple of advancements that

were showcased in the episode. For example, we have the robotics, in the dad’s mouse

device, motion sensing capture in the scene where Rachel dances in front of her phone,

holograms in the creation of Ashley Eternal, and many, many more.

Some of these said technologies present in the episode are even starting to be

developed in these modern times, showing us that that world in Black Mirror might

possibly become our inevitable future. It is certainly possible because the world is

constantly evolving and new changes are being added and improved on a daily basis.

With this, it is important to address the risks and dangers that can come with using these

technologies, most especially with creating AI. If ever AI creation goes out of hand, a
series of unfortunate events may occur. Since all human brain information can be stored

as data and made into AI, this produces a very possible situation for privacy invasion, as

the data can be put into anyone’s hands. Aside from this, your information may even be

spread around and used to your disadvantage. This leads to other problems such as

identity theft, breach of essential information, like your address, personal thoughts, etc.,

and even loss of freedom, as all your thoughts are already made known in this AI. People

can easily extract your information and use it to control and take advantage of you. With

these, we can truly see the bad side of the misuse of AI.

Knowing all these harmful effects that AI can bring, I myself would not want my

consciousness to be turned into artificial intelligence. While it is quite cool in some sense,

I still feel like I won’t be comfortable if this happened because I will somehow feel that

that AI is another me. It is not truly me, but a duplicate of me, thus I will feel as if my

identity was stolen. Aside from this, I also wouldn’t want to risk my personal data,

because I am a very private person. For me, what is in my head stays in my head. In

short, if someone were to ask me if I want to have my brain made into AI, my answer

would simply be no.

As we all know, there is certainly some debate surrounding the advancements of

AI and other technologies, and whether it is morally correct or wrong, it just depends on

your personal perspective. In my opinion, AI and technology can be seen as both moral

and immoral. It is moral in a sense if it is used to help others, for example, if it is used in

hospitals to help diagnose the patients. In another case, it is also okay to use AI if the

user has freely given the technology his/her consent to this information, after all, it is a

personal choice. Most importantly, I believe that the said technology has to have limited
capabilities, so it must be programmed to not be able to know everything, else this can

potentially lead to its misuse or malfunction. On the other hand, AI can also be bad

because again, if it becomes too omniscient, it can be utilized as a tool for destruction,

and since it is a holder of brain information, this data of a certain person’s mind can

easily be stolen and exploited. In the end, and AI is a mere soul, because it only exists

as an immaterial part of a person, and it can be immortal, unlike a life of a human. Life is

characterized by living and being able to do actions. You have to be able to feel and

make decisions, and that is one thing that can never be programmed, thus even with

how hard they try, life can never be duplicated into a technological form.

As I watched the episode, I honestly felt a bit uneasy, as if I knew that this level of

advancement would take a toll in the end of the story. It is because of this that I was so

intrigued with what will happen next. The thought process of possibilities and what if’s

flooded my mind – if this scenario would actually come true in the approaching future?

The answer is, we will never know, but for now, all we have to do is wait and see how far

technology can truly go.