I'm old enough to remember myriad of experts 10+ years ago who were active selling a view, that smartphones with constantly connected social media will change everything, we just have to learn to use it wisely.
They weren't wrong. Unfortunately, we didn't use it wisely and obliterated objective reality and allowed people to create spaces where they never have to engage with anything challenging.
This isn't smartphones, it's the Internet. The only reason that smartphones made a difference is that way more people use online services on mobile than would've done the same on the Internet.
The convenience and ubiquity lead to a step change.
And AI will be no different. People will rush head first into the fire and be flabbergasted when all of the hype and promise of utopia results in utter chaos and inequality.
If we assume that civilization is already teetering thanks to the smartphone/social media, the fallout of AI would make Thomas Cole blush.
