Intelligence Amplification

"IA" is the classic interpretation of useful technology; a spear, fire, a bicycle, books, radio and so on. Each in turn amplifies range of deadly force, bodily survival in cold, mobility, persistence of information, communicative range… IA's are enabling technology, and generally magnify capability, autonomy, vision, longevity, creativity and freedom.

In this context "AI" flips this over and replaces human intelligence and agency with a fake caring other. Whether viewed as servant or master is irrelevant, since "AI" is deadly once it divests humans of intentionality and agency. Ultimately it becomes a normative script, nominally "efficient" and reductive, conservative through inertia, and self-devouring. Under conditions of derelict leadership and wishful thinking about anarchy, "AI" emerges as a counter (or negative technology) to "IA".

So long as a technology amplifies our ability to care and attend one another as humans it is a benefit. But the tendency of "AI" to insert itself as an obsequious interloper makes it an ideal shim for nefarious control. It's potential to coopt and overtake human presence, care, attention, responsibility, and ultimately expertise and authority, is a corrosive risk to the long term security of society.

The control functions of computing are latent in bureaucracy, laws, taxes, restraints, social control, political manipulation, but also in parenting, healthcare, education, policing, and other human social activities all of which are foundational human-caring activities. These are the first to be attacked by "AI", displacing human judgement by claims of "efficiency" (better speed, accuracy, lower cost etc).

"AI" replaces intelligence, it does not amplify it.

Therefore "AI" stands in tension with cybersecurity insofar as security has an innate intelligence requirement, and for this cautionary reason we advise against all "AI" from a security standpoint - at least until you fully understand what it is, what it does, what risks that brings, and how to bring it to heel.

Presently none of the world's leading experts are able to claim such understanding. Understanding "intelligence amplification" is one of the better rational stances against casual, unthinking "AI" zealotry.