I saw a comment on the news recently about a wild trend among those working closely in AI. It was said that some have such a belief in AI and its odds of curing cancer that they have taken up activities like smoking and forgoing sunscreen. The term for this, according to this article, has been called “Cig Tech.”
Place Your Wager
While it seemed wild to me on the surface, it got more disturbing as I looked into the reasoning for such a gamble on health. There are those that are committed and believe potential health effects will be curable. But there are also those that believe that to be one of only two possible scenarios.
The other scenario is AI destroying humanity.
It’s one thing to bet on yourself or your work. Athletes have been known to take shorter-term contracts with hopes of a breakout season that will garner bigger offers for the following season. That’s a respectable gamble to make. Assuming AI will save you in the end? Not so much.
We’ve Been Here
It reminds me of 2012 when people were selling their possessions and making other poor decisions because they believed the end of the Mayan calendar meant the end of the world. Considering the fact you’re reading this sentence, we all know how that turned out. Now, it’s people with the nihilistic view that the future of AI is literally all or nothing.
Do I think it’s as common of a belief as some news sites would have you believe? No. But I don’t doubt that some people are all in on AI as either the savior of humanity or the end of humanity. Even if that’s the direction we’re going, “cig tech” is not the way to live. To paraphrase Maya Angelou, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and don’t be surprised by whatever is in between.
Thanks for reading!
