AI chatbots are the new trend, but with their potential to generate bad answers and misinformation, but David Gunkel, a professor of communication studies, is asking a different question: What rights should robots, including AI chatbots, have? Gunkel argues that when we talk about robot rights, we’re talking about social integrations of these technologies to protect our moral and legal institutions. With the surge in attention to AI chatbots, it’s becoming clear that companies will likely include terms of service in user licenses to regulate how content can be used. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
