My Concerns About the Future of Tech

So, I work in the tech industry, but let me tell you, every time I dive into this deep rabbit hole called technology, I can't help but feel a sense of inevitability about what's coming next. We've come a long way, no doubt. But sometimes I wonder about the little things, like canceling a subscription or making changes on an e-commerce site. Is it possible that the vendors could intentionally remove those options, making it nearly impossible for us to cancel? It seems like technology is taking away power from us users and giving it all to these big corporations or super-users. We end up at their mercy, relying on the privileges they grant us. It's like that "least privilege principle" that system admins talk about. I can't help but wonder if we'll reach a point where vendors just decide to remove all the escape hatches and lock us in their services forever.

And let's talk about the insane amount of digital footprint we create through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Who's even bothering to clean up the accounts of those who have passed away? The internet has turned into some kind of "Wild West" where anything goes. It's a "buyer beware" zone, and honestly, I'm not sure there's a quick fix for this mess. We're bombarded with ads that are tailored to us based on our proximity to products, our conversations, our searches, and even the searches of people we know. It's a never-ending onslaught. The data that corporations can collect about our buying habits is mind-boggling. And don't even get me started on artificial intelligence (AI). It's like this black box that we feed with questions, and it spits out answers, but we can't fully comprehend how it arrived at those results. We've just got these fancy AI systems like "ChatGPT4/Bard" that we can ask anything, and voila, they provide us with responses. It's like a giant leap into the unknown.

Tech goes through these crazy cycles of innovation. It speeds up, slows down, and then speeds up again. And you know what? Our regulatory frameworks can't keep up with the pace as usual. We end up relying on the goodwill of the actors involved to do the right thing. But here's the thing: these actors are ultimately driven by profit and the potential for exploitation.

So, in a nutshell, I'm both amazed and concerned about where technology is heading. The power imbalance, the untamed nature of the internet, and the mysteries of AI all give me pause. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, we need to strive for balance, accountability, and ethical considerations. It's crucial that we shape a future that harnesses the potential of technology while safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals and society as a whole. Let's work towards that, shall we?