Imagine a universal, personalized recommendation system tailored specifically for you. It curates movies, music, books, restaurants, vacation destinations, social events, friends, romantic partners, gift ideas, purchases, spectator sports, physical activities, and hobbies—essentially, any decision you make daily.
This system's suggestions are like an Instagram feed; by interacting with its recommendations, you teach it about your preferences, both conscious and unconscious. It might even introduce you to a new favorite dish or connect you with a future best friend or partner—people or experiences you might never have considered on your own. It seems to understand you better than you understand yourself.
This concept might sound unsettling or even frightening. But consider this: big companies already compile similar data in specific areas—Amazon tracks your shopping habits, Meta monitors your social interactions, Tinder navigates your dating life, and credit card companies have a complete ledger of your financial transactions. Consolidating your personal data amplifies its power, raising significant privacy and security concerns.
Yet, could such a comprehensive system also be harnessed for positive personal growth? Imagine a tool that not only aligns with your interests based on past behaviors but also helps you identify and modify detrimental habits or patterns. Suppose you set goals to save money for a house, improve your fitness, or read more books instead of watching television. In that case, this AI could prioritize recommendations that support your objectives over merely maximizing profits for sellers.
In contemplating the parallel 'black boxes' of AI and human cognition, we're faced with profound questions about privacy, autonomy, and the potential for technology to enhance our self-awareness and help us lead more fulfilling lives. The promise and perils of such a system warrant a thoughtful discussion about the ethical implications of deeply personalized AI.