I've been working with the ‘Insights’ section editor Paul Keaveny on a long-read article about the mystery of AI for The Conversation.
The piece can be read here
It would be great if you could read it and maybe even share the article, if you like. The piece is free to access. Do let me know what you think too.
I've tried to use some historical and other sources to get a different perspective on AI developments and to put them in a slightly different context. I've also tried to link some long developments with current directions and shifts in social and political tensions around automation and A.I. I've integrated some strange little stories along with analysis of the form and discourse of AI advancements.
It starts with a story from the 1950s that sets current developments into a particular genealogy (featuring Jack Cowan, who is pictured below). It's not really about black boxes and proprietary control, this piece explores the embedded values and ideals that impact upon the discourse, practices and technical forms of AI today.