SXSW Day 02 - Queues, Artificial Intelligence and Intimacy in an Increasingly Digital Age
- Danton Rodrigues
- Mar 13, 2023
- 3 min read
On the second day of the event, a real sense of urgency was established as it is impossible not to feel FOMO (fear of missing out). Different things happen every moment, and it is necessary to be prepared to run and be very well organized and certain of what you want to watch. Having a Plan B and maybe a C is highly recommended!
I missed Amy Webb live, and it was the first time I saw a line that extended for four floors, but a kind soul shared the content she recorded on Otter, and I was able to enjoy the insights presented there.
Amy Webb is a futurist and founder of the Future Today Institute, which analyzes technology trends and predicts their impact on the future. In her panel, she shared technology trends for 2023 and how these technologies impact our future perspective.
She highlights that it is impossible to predict the future, but preparing for it is possible and important, as innovation is here, but so are the risks.
Em seu relatório com mais de 600 tendências, a futurista destacou temas como a transformação radical na forma como as informações são coletadas e compartilhadas e como isso está evoluindo rapidamente com o surgimento de novas ferramentas, geradores de texto, imagens e vídeos, bem como sistemas de IA para desenhar proteínas e combater as mudanças climáticas. O relatório está dividido em tópicos como inteligência artificial, robôs, drones e mobilidade, computação quântica e 6G, web3 e bioengenharia.
No campo do maior hot topic do momento, temos as IAs que estão cada vez mais próximas de estarem presentes no nosso dia a dia.
Webb highlights that, in the 2020s, generative artificial intelligence (AI) will be increasingly used, allowing for the generation of new content, concepts, and ideas. In the next 18 to 24 months, generative AI will be integrated into an even larger number of applications, including health, legislation, and finance. Companies will realize that AI is necessary for business growth, although some employee functions may become obsolete. It is important to have a human perspective so that digitization happens for these employees, and that companies in all industries develop a solid understanding of AIs. The result is a consistent strategy for the automation of companies.
Since Webb has already spoke about the burden and benefits of these technologies in the future, Esther Perel, psychotherapist and podcaster, joined the conversation about artificial intelligence and the way intimacy and human relationships are being transformed in this era, in her panel "The Other A.I.: The Rise of Artificial Intimacy & What it Means for Us."
The promise of an easy life with everything always at hand and available may seem attractive at first, but what is the impact of living in this technology-enabled "assisted mode"?
Perel stresses that the removal of inconvenience promoted by technology removes both the friction from our days that disconnects us from experimentation and learning, and consequently from our true "selves". We end up becoming "walking algorithmic patterns," smooth people with all the edges trimmed, and she even jokes that, when it comes to intimacy, friction is an important asset.
We are increasingly accepting poor interactions, with few genuine, deep, and sincere exchanges, because gradually we are losing our critical sense, since every adversity is being deleted, and with this, we are leaving our "social muscle" without exercise, atrophied.
The psychotherapist is categorical and argues that when we do not hide behind our phones, we have the opportunity to truly know people and, consequently, ourselves.
She highlights that the maturity of intimacy is not built on easy answers, and once again, friction is important!
To close out the summary of the second day, it's worth highlighting that SXSW isn't just about the main stage. In a smaller room, I was able to witness a deep and interesting conversation about the construction of devices for AI use presented by Humane. Founded by Imran Chaudhri, who was responsible for creating interfaces for the iPhone, and Bethany Bongiorno, also ex-Apple, who worked as a director of software engineering and participated in projects such as the launch of the iPad.
Together, they established Humane's mission to build a future that is not only more intelligent, but also human. During the session, they presented the 10 principles of "Good AI" and addressed values such as innovation, utility, efficiency, transparency, ethics, and inclusion.
The lesson learned is to be careful with human beings. We cannot become just zeros and ones in a cloud database that can be discarded and deleted. We must learn from technology, evolve, and truly connect through it.
Liked the summary and want to know more? Access the link below: Amy Webb releases report on the major technology trends.https://epocanegocios.globo.com/especiais/sxsw/noticia/2023/03/sxsw-amy-webb-lanca-relatorio-com-as-principais-tendencias-de-tecnologia-entenda-os-pontos-principais.ghtml
Esther Perel on Instagram: https://instagram.com/estherperelofficial
Know more about Hu.ma.ne: https://hu.ma.ne/
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