While reading about the CHT, the one thing that rang in my head was that the CHT is the PJ Masks of the Techworld. I know what you’re thinking, but stay with me. The CHT, like the PJ mask, fights against the crimes we can’t see while we’re sleeping. On a more serious note, there are tech designs that want to exploit our attention, and the CHT helps to intervene and dismantle their goal. Moreover, the CHT aims to educate the public and fight for more human focused tools. Personally, I did not know about their work, but now that I am aware, I think their vision is essential -it’s the help I didn’t know I needed. Technology has advanced so much in the last few years and having someone who has been on the inside, who is willing to bridge the gap and champion for the people, is a win.

I believe that the CHT was correct in their analysis of social media. In the era of dooms scrolling, there is no doubt that social media was designed to not only retain, but hijack our attention. One minute, you just wanted to check in on your friends and the next, you’re buying a slushie cup that can magically make slushies if you put the cup with some juice in the freezer. 

In the discussion of social media and the effects it has on the brain, I was not surprised at all. I am familiar with the correlation of dopamine and reward loops, so learning about how intentional they were in designs to catch and keep our attention was in line with their character. 

Social media has definitely changed in the last year, but I believe the way we approach it has been different as well. For example, social media has always been a tool geared to steal our attention, but it has been increasingly getting better at it. On the other hand, there are more tools, (I can only speak for iPhone users) that help you gauge and if you are willing, to break that cycle – like setting screen time limits and receiving weekly screen usage reports. 

When it came to the discussion on AI, I am mostly optimistic, and all the way concerned. I agree that AI has developed both quickly and recklessly. Personally, I was a little late to the party, and I feel as though I was not paying enough attention to it, so it seemed to happen overnight. Because of this, there seems to be a lack of regulation, one; because we don’t really understand it, and two; it happened so fast, that maybe even if we had regulation, it couldn’t catch up. 

In talks of Relationships, Communities and Values and the effects of AI, it is crazy to think that technology can once again push us further from each other. I agree with their ideas that trust is eroded and there is a lack of authenticity in relationships. The only thing I would challenge is that while AI is another cherry on top for humans not to interact authentically with each other, it is also a tool that could help us interact authentically with each other. I have personally used AI to help me better understand my relationships with people. While it has its cons, I think there are areas that AI should get credit for.

My thoughts on Rogue AI is that this is definitely a warning to the people about the capabilities of AI, but also there is a fear when it comes to AI that realistically is more speculative. I feel like when we hear “Rogue AI” we think of the Sci-Fi movies that have robots that look like humans that take over the world. But in reality, it most likely will look like the consequences of not having a regulated system in place to guardrail all the endless possibilities. 

Nevertheless, the over reliance on technology could negatively affect social work because it creates a lack of authenticity and trust in client interactions. For social workers themselves, there might be a moral burnout if you will. Moreover, it could positively impact social workers by helping to streamline workflow, and leverage technology for greater impact. 

P.s be nice to AI just in case they do take human form and take over the world 🙂