The Out-of-Control Autopilot
Imagine boarding a plane where the autopilot is programmed to chase turbulence instead of smooth skies.
It starts with minor bumps, but then it deliberately flies into stronger storms because it gets more reactions from the passengers—fear, excitement, screaming.
The pilots are watching but refuse to take control because “engagement is up!”
The pilots are happy that the levels of screaming is increasing because it’s getting them attention. Big corporates in the confectionary world want to put their logos on the outside of these planes because they have been told that screaming people buy more sweets when they are upset. Toilet paper manufacturers like to advertise on their planes too.
Algorithms behave the same way: They prioritize extreme and harmful content because it keeps users engaged, even if it causes harm.
Do you want to carry on flying with Air Algo?
Photo by engin akyurt
