This is a phenomenon more generally true with regard to the internet, automation, and especially AI.
Of course, you can say that books, encyclopedias, and the like have taken away some need for human connection, but Google and AI takes that to the next level, a level which is qualitatively different than simply looking in an encyclopedia.
Google of course does this specifically with its FAQ-style result, but that is only the beginning.
One of the ultimate ends of AI is a society in which a human beings can function anonymously and it will lead to a weird level of narcissism in which people don't much care about others because they never see their faces.
In short, the author of this blog is completely, 100% right. Sadly, many people here and in other articles have commented that they like this idea, but for those people: take a moment to realize the societal effects when it is taken to the extreme. Of course, for those who are inclined to avoid human interaction for some reason (perhaps they were nerds in grade school), this may initially seem good (and I understand that, I was a nerd in grade school), but this new level of anonymity and lack of connection when it comes to getting information is NOT good for us.
Most people think about Terminator-style scenarios when it comes to AI, but in reality the dangers it poses will be like the proverbial frog boiling to death. It will come slowly but surely and be on the level of societal problems that eventually make society collapse rather than a killer robot from the future.
Of course, you can say that books, encyclopedias, and the like have taken away some need for human connection, but Google and AI takes that to the next level, a level which is qualitatively different than simply looking in an encyclopedia.
Google of course does this specifically with its FAQ-style result, but that is only the beginning.
One of the ultimate ends of AI is a society in which a human beings can function anonymously and it will lead to a weird level of narcissism in which people don't much care about others because they never see their faces.
In short, the author of this blog is completely, 100% right. Sadly, many people here and in other articles have commented that they like this idea, but for those people: take a moment to realize the societal effects when it is taken to the extreme. Of course, for those who are inclined to avoid human interaction for some reason (perhaps they were nerds in grade school), this may initially seem good (and I understand that, I was a nerd in grade school), but this new level of anonymity and lack of connection when it comes to getting information is NOT good for us.