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Fooled by Machines: Understanding the Risk of AI-Generated Cognitive Simulacra
“What if the AI generated content, is not an illusion, but the reality itself?” — Slavoj Žižek, in “The Sublime Object of Ideology”
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more advanced, it is becoming increasingly important to be aware of the potential risks associated with AI-generated content, also known as cognitive simulacra. We must now tune our BS detectors not only to well-informed humans but also to mesmerizing machines that can enchant us into infinite conversations with non-existent versions of ourselves in a maze of cognitive simulacra.
One of the key risks associated with cognitive simulacra is the potential for deception. AI-generated content, such as deepfake videos or fake news, can be designed to look and sound like the real thing, making it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. As AI researcher, Nick Bostrom has said
“The ability to deceive others is a powerful tool, and it is likely that AI will become very good at it.” This can lead to the spread of misinformation and the manipulation of public opinion.
