More and more, I see and hear the chattering class and talking heads discussing the perils of job loss related to the adoption of artificial intelligence. Giving short shrift to other potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence

• Job Displacement, Unemployment, and Economic Inequality

• Security Risks and Privacy Concerns

• Bias and Discrimination

• Manipulation and Disinformation

• Lack of Transparency and Accountability

• Compromise of Ethical and Moral Decision-Making

• Social Isolation and Loss of Interpersonal Skills

• Deference and the Loss of Individual Agency

• Autonomous Medical Devices and Weaponry

• Incomplete Training and Synthetic “Hallucinations”

• Loss of Commonsense Reasoning and a Need for Counterintuitive Thinking

• Superintelligence and Control over Humanity

• Other Black Swan Unintended Consequences

Yada. Yada. Yada.

There is little doubt that Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, and while these dangers exist, they are not inevitable outcomes of AI development. And if you want to explore the issue, perhaps some of the greatest study tools lie within the bounds of “speculative fiction.” The term “science fiction” appears to have fallen by the cultural wayside sometime in the latter half of the 20th century.

The real danger: the day someone pulls the plug…

What is rarely discussed is the inevitable outcome of the persistent and prolonged use of embedded AI systems. An overreliance on AI systems that leads to a national security disaster, the loss of national and personal resilience, including the loss of human skills and critical thinking abilities. In other words, the dumbing down of America and its citizens that comes from the heavy reliance on AI for decision-making that ultimately degrades our capacity to understand complex problems and make independent judgments.

For those who believe this is an unlikely scenario, might I point to the ongoing disaster before your eyes? 

Exposure to digital devices, calculators, and watches has demonstrable adverse effects on the development of our children, the next generation of leaders.

1. Loss of Handwriting and Fine Motor Skills: Increased use of digital devices can lead to reduced practice and proficiency in handwriting, which develops precise motor control and hand-eye coordination, which may not be exercised as much when typing on a keyboard or touchscreen.

2. Loss of Mental Calculation and Math Skills: Relying heavily on calculators for mathematical calculations can hinder a child's ability to perform calculations mentally, degrading a child’s number sense and understanding of mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills.

3. Time Management and Analog Clock Reading: There is no doubt that digital clocks and watches with digital displays provide the time in a convenient digital format. However, it makes it less necessary for children to learn to read analog clocks with hour and minute hands still prevalent in many settings. The lack of proficiency in reading analog devices, including clocks, watches, and gauges, often lead to difficulties in time management and understanding critical measurement concepts.

4. Reduced Attention Span and Focus: Excessive screen time and exposure to digital devices have been associated with shorter attention spans and reduced abilities to focus for extended periods, compromising one’s ability to sustain attention and concentrate on tasks that require deep thinking or prolonged effort.

5. Reduced Spatial Awareness and Sense of Direction: GPS navigation and digital mapping tools have made it easier to navigate one’s surroundings without relying on their spatial awareness and sense of direction.

6. Dependency and addiction to digital devices: It should come as no surprise that digital developers of games, websites, and electronic devices use psychological ploys to make sites and devices engaging, “sticky,” and addictive.

7. Social Isolation and Disconnection: Reduced face-to-face interaction with family members, peers, and broader societal contacts, often results in a loss of personal confidence, increased shyness, a sense of social isolation, and feelings of loneliness. Artificial friends based on reciprocal behavior and "likes" can become cyberbullying and extremely damaging online experiences. A limited emotional connection which can lead to psychopathic behavior, including a lack of empathy and the understanding of causing pain, injury, and death in others.

8. Impaired non-verbal communication ability and the inability to discern critical non-verbal cues which can signify imminent harm or other threats.

Bottom line…

There should be absolutely no doubt that you must maintain parental control over your children for their safety, well-being, and healthy development. Ceding control to the experts at school or in the community simply produces another generation of disaffected and increasingly dysfunctional young adults who lack resiliency, coping skills, and the ability to shift for themselves in today's complex and dangerous environment.

We are screwed, but even worse, our children and grandchildren are being screwed as we do nothing and watch the progressive communist democrats destroy our nation, our culture, and our quality of life.

-- Steve