Tech expert Meredith Whittaker discusses the rise of AI, concerns about user privacy, and the need for tech companies to move away from monetizing user surveillance. Topics include the evolution of tech, inefficiencies of surveillance-based ad tech, hidden costs of AI models, and the power play of cloud business.
Protecting privacy requires tech companies to shift away from monetizing user surveillance.
Prioritizing privacy over profit in entities like Signal is crucial to safeguard user data.
Concerns arise over the commercial consequences and societal impact of data-driven platforms like TikTok.
Deep dives
Tech Bubble and AI Investment
The podcast discusses how the tech industry experienced bubbles like the Bitcoin and metaverse craze, leading to questions about sustainability and the rise of artificial intelligence investments. Noting the history of tech commercialization in the 90s and the impact of the neoliberal consensus, the discussion highlights the shift from an open internet to platform dominance, raising concerns about the current trends in AI and tech investments.
Surveillance Business Model and Privacy Focus
The episode delves into the commercial imperative of monetizing surveillance in tech and its impact on privacy. It explores how ad-driven business models incentivize mass surveillance, leading to tech giants controlling vital infrastructures globally. With insights from Meredith Whitaker, the importance of prioritizing privacy over profit in entities like Signal is emphasized to protect user data and avoid commercial pressures.
Commercial Internet Consequences and Attention Economy
The conversation touches on the adverse effects of the commercialized internet, including the spamification of online content and the manipulation of user attention. It highlights the shift from open internet protocols to platform-dominated environments, leading to concerns about the segmentation and influence tactics of digital platforms on users. Critiques on the surveillance-based advertising model and TikTok's attention-retaining capabilities raise questions about the commercial consequences and societal impact of data-driven platforms.
Concerns About Expanding Government Powers on Tech Platforms
There are concerns regarding the potential consequences of expanding government powers over tech platforms, particularly in relation to national security policies. The podcast highlights worries about a future government's ability to misuse such powers, particularly with drastic measures like federal abortion bans. The discussion also touches on the implications of restricting speech and expression, especially in a time when access to LGBTQ resources and other forms of expression are being regulated or banned in various states.
Implications of AI Technology and Industry Dominance
The podcast delves into the current landscape of AI technology, emphasizing its significant resource requirements and business implications. While recognizing the impressive capabilities of AI in tasks like language processing, the conversation also points out the costly nature of developing and maintaining AI models. Furthermore, it sheds light on how AI technology tends to favor large corporations with substantial resources, potentially reinforcing their dominance in the industry. The discussion offers a critical perspective on the use cases and true value of AI technology amidst widespread enthusiasm and investment in the field.
It’s been a wild last year or so in tech. We’ve seen a marked rise in the development of artificial intelligence, large language models and prolific growth of augmented reality systems. At the same time, it can feel like we’re moving backwards as concerns continue to rise about user privacy and the methods by which personal data is collected and monetized. Our guest this week points out that protecting privacy requires tech companies to ditch traditional business models that monetize user surveillance. Meredith Whittaker is president of Signal App and serves as the chief advisor for the AI Now Institute. She joins WITHpod to discuss the rise of big tech, the trajectory of the internet from being more commercialized to open, concerns about tech’s role in American democracy, her thoughts on proposed TikTok bans and more.
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