The tech takeover: The pros and cons of innovative advancements

From a social credit system to artificial intelligence interacting with humans, these innovative advancements have pros and cons

(Clockwise from top left) Emma Watson; A still from Nosedive; Facebook’s new tech; You can set up appointments via Google Assistant; Make a payment via a microchip

The lines between the virtual and real world are blurring due to innovative technology. The tech-inspired dystopian drama Black Mirror often presents this reality with a pessimistic view. However, keeping aside the extremely negative outlook, there are likely to be pros and cons of the technological advancement that seems to be inevitable.

AI USED TO FACE-SWAP HOLLYWOOD STARS INTO PORN FLICKS

Fake adult films featuring images of Emma Watson, Daisy Ridley, Scarlett Johansson and others have already been made using advanced machine learning. What’s scary is that these clips have been made without the consent of the women whose faces have been used, and are indistinguishable from a real porn film, with subtle uncanny differences that can easily be ignored. They were initially made by a solo hobbyist who went by the name ‘deepfake’.

NOSEDIVE TO BECOME A REALITY IN CHINA

Fans of Black Mirror will recall Nosedive that explored the idea of a world where your social media profile matters as it can not only earn you an invitation to a wedding but also help you buy a house in an upscale locality. And while many dismissed the idea as being too farfetched at the time, it actually could be a reality in China. A story in an international magazine reports on Zhima Credit, a “personal credit” rating associated with Alipay, the main form of mobile payment in China. It’s power sounds eerily similar to that outlined in Nosedive. Users will be given a score between 350 (low) and 950 (high), and rewards those with “good” scores with perks and rewards. Paying back debts will give you a good rating, but so will having certain qualifications, the products you choose to buy and, crucially, the company you keep.

VIRTUAL REALITY WILL HELP YOU CREATE AN AVATAR

Mapping human behaviours to an avatar is not a distant dream. Most recently, Facebook demoed its plan to create avatars of people using Oculus Rift virtual reality. Clearly, the future could see people wearing augmented reality (AR) handsets and their avatars hanging out together.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HUMAN

Google recently unveiled an update to their Google Assistant that allows it to speak with people over the phone, using natural language, to make appointments and order takeaway. While it had a section of the world impressed, there were many others who are apprehensive about it. And with good reason, because the Artificial Intelligence (AI) not only managed to have a conversation with a human being, but it did so without the person realising they were speaking to a computer programme.

A MICROCHIP COULD REPLACE KEYS, CREDIT CARDS AND TICKETS

Wallets may become extinct if this idea catches people’s fancy. Sweden is leading the way here, as citizens are encouraged to be a part of a transparent society, exchanging personal information with authorities. So, much so all of it can be stored in a microchip inserted under the skin. This chip holds all sensitive data that can be read by other devices but cannot read information themselves. While there is a fear that these chips could cause infections or react with one’s immune system, it has not stopped people in Sweden from opting for them in the name of convenience. It allows them not only to book tickets online and store information on the chip but also use it to make payments and as an entry pass for various events.