The first one.
Few of my thoughts on Web, AI and our world.
The Chrome Release updates post is what triggered me to write the first post, and you’ll see why. But something about me first. I have been developing for the Web for about 4 years now, but haven’t gotten around to putting down and sharing my thoughts about the Web as a Platform, and the kind of impact it created. I was born and raised in India, which has allowed me to observe a fair spectrum of the problems of our world from a distance (being pampered with all the comforts that my parents could provide for me). I work for a financial firm trying to use technology advantage to make money. I also tend to spend some of my time thinking about the future of Web coupled with AI and the path being laid down for the generations to come.
Sometimes I find myself thinking about the Dark side of Web and AI. While a lot of it gets fuelled by a few Black Mirror episodes that were playing in a room I happened to be in, combined with Elon Musk’s statements about AI, but some of it is quite relevant in today’s world. The digital self that all of us create has a direct impact on the kind of opportunities we are presented with, and this is consistently increasing. While Web has brought people from around the world closer, it hasn’t been easy for everyone to get used to the changes. Some(not all) of us were quick to accept and adopt technology and use it to our advantage, but it came with its own share of problems — physical and psychological. At the same time, it changed how the society interacts and behaves. We filled up our free time with the usage of technology for entertainment, gaining knowledge, seeking better opportunities, learning new skills, sharing our thoughts and so much more. This leaves us with less time to engage with the physical world around us.
When we think about how Google and Facebook controls what everyone sees, its not an overstatement, because the search platform affects what you see everywhere on the web, thanks to AdSense, and targeted ads on Facebook, Youtube, and other google platforms. There already exists a persona for you within the data thats stored in the Google and Facebook Data centres, and every other place where you transact in any way, including Banks, Credit Card statements, Government records, and so much more. The way the data is being used vs should be used, is a constant battle between Technology giants or people who benefit from this data and the rest of the world that gets sold (in exchange for countless free products, for us to spend our time on)
On the bright side, we’ve come a long way in bringing meaningful changes to the lives of people using these free products, and positively impacting the society as a whole, but we’re far from a world where everyone is able to use technology equally (think >70% of India, and other developing nations), and enrich their lives with it.
What actually led me to write this post was the chain of thoughts I had after going through Chrome 61 Beta Release.
Being a Front-end Web developer, I’ve always been closely following the Chrome Releases, and learning about how the specifications for the web get shaped. I’ve truly been a fan of the Chrome Dev Team, and have seen them achieve so much in the past few years. From improvements in Developer Experience to WebComponents, to WebGL, Progressive Web Apps, WebVR and what not, Chrome has always led the development for a better Web Platform. The unparalleled User Experience is what brought them their fair share of loyal users, not a default installation, although that changed recently with Android. Needless to say, the search platform is so popular because no one else could provide the same kind of experience, and integrate it so well with our lives. This is what has kept Google in a position of advantage over any other Technology company.
At the core of all of the web, lies a well connected network of countless hardworking engineers, and business enablers from different backgrounds and countries all working together to create stuff that the world has never seen before, and bring it to a scale where it could benefit everyone on our planet. While building these products and thinking about how it might affect the lives of people positively, it leaves no room to think about its negative implications on the society, the only visions that we need are of a world where everyone sees significant life improvements due to technology (as the human race has witnessed historically). Knowing that all of our technological structures are run by some of the most brilliant, talented, and hardworking Humans from all across the globe, gives me hope, and a reason to keep working towards a better world and society.
We might have to be okay with the inequality for now, knowing that the Humans are working at it, but lets keep a tight watch on AI, because we never know what it holds, and my knowledge on the subject is limited. ;)
