Time's Artificial Man of the Year

Editor's note:  This email was scheduled to be sent out last week. 

Time Magazine had just chosen their man of the year. This year's selection is not surprising. Time is owned by Marc Benioff billionaire, the same guy who asked Trump to send the National Guard to San Francisco.  

Time's person of the year:   AI Architects

This is a list of many questions and observations that people will have going forward:

Why are my utility bills skyrocketing and why is my water bill exploding?

Is there a reason my job has been eliminated?

Is it true that my lawyers used AI to craft my defense?

It appears that the planet is being destroyed even faster than before. Am I and countless species just imagining that?

Why did a robot just deny my insurance claim?

Trees are. being cut down at such a rapid rate- what is the reason?

It can't be true that rich folks are coming into town, building AI centers without permits/oversight or responsibility- or is it?

I can't believe that the online medical advice was so wrong.

All these movies/TV shows and books sound alike…and not quite human.

Why are writers being ripped off without compensation? And actors/singers and other artists? Didn’t that actor die years ago, how can they be in this movie ? 

It is easier to write emails and texts without intrusive word suggestions. Why is my phone composing my messages?

Who needs teachers and professors...?

Will there be an AI crash- comparable to that of the tech boom- that will drag down the rest of the economy?

Even the most remote areas have or are threatened with becoming home to an AI data center.  Why? Is there really a need for so many?

Do these centers hurt the surrounding neighborhoods? I think we all know the answer to this one

Case in point,  Memphis Tennessee, some of the poorest neighborhoods are choking on the air pollution caused by Musk's data center while seeing their utility and water bills explode.  (Hey you don't expect the rich folks to pay.) The rapid proliferation of AI data centers and the inclusion in every part of our lives has severe consequences. (Not a question but a fact.)

Perhaps in an ideal, or juster world, these new AI tools could be a bright boon for the future, emancipating people from menial drudgery. But the current architects of these tools have demonstrated these AIs are only being developed to extract value by further distracting, monitoring, and controlling people.

There are no easy answers, but fighting back starts with being Human.  Vigilant.  Aware.  Empathetic and Concerned. Make a difference.  Take action.  Learn more and unite. And of course: shop locally six days a week and  Don't Shop on Tuesday.

#DSOT #UPM