Artificial Intelligence.

Watching sci fi movies about AI soldiers and machines taking over the world (Terminator), AI nannys who seduce husbands,computers taking over ( Space Odyssey (1968)- the iconic scene “Dave, put down the screwdriver”), (Hal, open the pod door), so knowing all these scenarios are possible, why would we ever invent AI at all? Oh, I know, because we think those are just science fiction and could never really happen. Us humans are too intelligent, too smart to let a computer take over. The hubris of our leaders is enormous. I have watched my wife fight with AI customer service over the phone and it is frustrating. I swear she will have a heart attack!

Recently she was trying to add her Father’s prescriptions onto Walmart’s pharmacy department, and called on the phone to do it. The phone was answered by a pleasant sounding female. Who patiently explained she couldn’t do anything about the problem. And when my wife asked to be connected to a supervisor, the pleasant sounding woman continued to try and help her. My wife started to get annoyed. “Give me your supervisor” she asked, her voice rising, irritation creeping in. “This is too complicated for you”. “Let me try and help you” the pleasnt woman said. “No, I want a supervisor, NOW). By this time, my wife has lost it, yelling and shouting at the pleasant young woman on the phone, who was not phased at all by the irate customer. “Let me get you a human. I can’t seem to help you. Hold on a minute while I connect you” . That wasn’t the first time she had a run in with an AI customer service representative on the phone, and after each episode she became more irritated, more frustrated, more angry.

Now, my wife is a sweet, polite person. She would never be rude or yell at a customer service representative, they would just be doing their job. But after ten or more contacts with AI, no more please and thank you. After all, it’s just a robot, or a computer, with no feelings. They can’t be offended or upset. Just a side note… if my sweet wife can be provoked into yelling and fighting with an AI generated representative over the phone, and stop using common courtesy during the conversation, then what about some of the other hot headed, rough and tough members of our society? Do they get used to talking like that to AI representatives and then start talking like that to humans? Will our society just collapse into hostile, aggressive people?

I can just imagine this scenario: “Hello, this is your customer service agent at Wells Fargo, can I be of assistance?” Yes, I want to get a debit card for my checking acct”. “Ok, I will need your photo ID, your social security number, last and first name, date of birth. Date you opened your account and balance in your account currently.” “What the fuck! No, I’m not going to do that. You have all my information in your files, on your computer in front of you, no, hold on, you are a computer, it’s all inside you. You access it, then pop out a card and ship it to me. ” “ I’m sorry sir, I don’t have your private information in my memory banks. You must provide it.” “ Bullshit! You have my money, I want a debit card to use when I’m out and about. Get me your supervisor.” “Sir, don’t raise your voice to me, and don‘t use profanity. If you continue. I will end this call.” “Now just a god-damn minute, you are a robot. If I want to yell at you and swear, I will. Now get me a human, now”. “ Sorry. Sir, your behaviour is against our policy guidelines. I am ending this call now. Have a good day”. “Wait, don’t hang up. I want to withdraw my money and close my account. I’m taking my business elsewhere.” “well, you can certainly do that, sir. There is a 25% penalty for withdrawal because of violation of company and banking guidelines. This is your first warning.” “What! You can’t do that. I’ll sue your company.This is bullshit.” “ Sir, you agreed to our guidelines when you signed up for your account. Look at page 7, paragraph 14. You can’t sue us.” “ ok, I won’t close my account, but I will take my banking business elsewhere. What’s the minimum amount I can withdraw without penalty?” “ Because of your hostile attitude and economic terrorist threats against our bank, you can only withdraw $50 for the next 48 hours. But full disclosure, I must tell you that I will be contacting every other bank about your hostile, economic terrorist threats, including the department of justice for prosecution. ”

Here’s another scenario…. “ I think I will never use a bank to hold my money, I’ll just stash hard cash under my mattress. Screw the bank!”

The federal reserve just announced that digital money will replace cash starting January 1st. Every citizen will be issued a debit card along with your social security card. When this happens, you are screwed. Now, using AI, the government can see how much money you make, how you spend it, and they can tax you accordingly. When the government wants to use electric power for cars, AI will analyze your gas purchases, and punish you for buying gasoline. Buying too much beef? Punishment. Angry at the government? Punishment, pay a fine.

yes, AI can control you through manipulation of an authoritarian government, or even worse, they can take control of that government and banking system, and then the machines will run the world. It won’t be a sci fi movie anymore. It will be the end of our life as we know it.