Hacking Humans: The Algorithms are Coming

Following on from yesterday's post on Yuval Noah Harari's new book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, there is another interesting observation made around how the future of hacking will be into humans rather than into machines as is more common today.

We are, however, already starting to see the beginnings of this scary transition with scandals around the data that Facebook and similar platforms have gleaned about us and how this could be used to manipulate our thinking e.g Cambridge Analytica etc.

Fast forward over the next 10-20 years and the computers and algorithms will only get more advanced leading to even greater potential manipulation of the minds of the unwary. Consider how this could impact purchasing decisions as well as political leanings.

Yuval points out how technology could start to control rather than serve us unless we can keep it in check or at least stay ahead of it. To have the awareness that technology could be taking over our lives (not necessarily for the better) will become ever more important going forward.

Yuval states:

"You might be perfectly ceding all authority to the algorithms and trusting them to decide things for you and for the rest of the world. If so, just relax and enjoy the ride. The algorithms will take care of everything. If, however, you want to retain some control of your personal existence and of the future life, you have to run faster than the algorithms..."

I love those last words: you have to run faster than the algorithms.

It may be difficult in reality to stay ahead of technology. Especially as it will likely be constantly monitoring our every move and gesture, so the answer might be to start unplugging more. To carve out our realities outside of technology. Or might this be unrealistic in an "always logged-on" environment?

Yuval makes the astute point that it will become more important than ever for people to learn to know their real selves as early as possible.

Before technology steps in and potentially turns each of us into someone unrecognisable.