5(G) reasons why - pt.2
From my last post I discussed 5G technology giving users an abundant supply of digital resources. I then stated that by doing so the core technology would in turn gain an abundant supply of contextual data through ultra fast IoT communication. Machines being fed by other technology has been around since the first ethernet cable (and earlier). But now we are building resources where the complexity of autonomy, consciousness and sentience in computers is rising.
The computer's computer
Writing code for real world cases has become less about accounting for all possible actions and outcomes and rather about constructing new rules or logic based on the data the program is fed. With the right methods and time, a program is able to achieve its desired goals from accumulating mass data. Through repetition the program will learn how best to reach a goal effectively and accurately. From what I understand about machine learning (very little), is that over time, certain data is collected by a machine which it in turn tries to interpret based on already given answers. One use case would be a program attempting to detect a car in an image based on data of 1000 pictures that have been said to contain cars. Another case in public services would be to finding the optimum response to mitigating a scenario with a disgruntled customer. This would be done by going off previous customer service discussions and customer satisfaction feedback to allocate the right response for the context it is in. All of this data would be first supplied by humans.
Machine learning as it stands is already a process that can happen at lightning fast rates, but usually with stored data. Now that IoT devices can respond in real time the growth of a machine's knowledge is going to be exponentially quicker, and therefore more intelligent when engaging with people in the present. It may not be as obvious either. The technology people use and interact with may look basic or familiar to what they know, but through the ultra fast communication the devices can work off the shoulders of a larger and smarter entity.
A change in property
A constantly evolving AI system feeding off real world information had me thinking about how, who and what digital traffic will target. If a physical space can be shaped by virtual objects and AI, then how will that be available as an open space? I know most of 5G technology is focusing on private businesses that have resources (warehouses, train stations, shops) to generate infinite opportunities. But when it comes to the public there will have to be an exchange of resources. A person's attention and time are in limited supply. While 5G resources do not need to relate to the physical context, there will be some form of property created due to the contextual data and events taken in that space. One form of property is the IoT data that is linked to a certain time and place. Where will that be used and for what purpose? Another form of property can be taking over a physical space where users can engage within a mixed reality experience. Just like booking out a venue, certain groups could book out the IoT devices and the network to generate activities for their users. Even with 5G traffic promoted as being able to keep up with millions of activities, it would not increase the attention of an audience when competing against multiple stakeholders. A person can only be within one experience. Even if that experience blends over multiple realms.
New world, new viewing platforms
As always, the biggest interest for me when it comes to new technology is not what it gives the user, but how it changes them. With new technological adaptations emerges new culture. It would be naive to think this new era we are entering will not have scalable ramifications. As mentioned, machine learning in public services is already hinting towards attaining foolproof satisfaction from a customer. Similar to how social media and news stations can construct narratives to provoke the desired reaction or sway an opinion. The stronger impact these constructed narratives have on us, the more predictable it makes us. This is of course leading towards a conversation on control not just on technology but of ourselves and the agency of our actions. For when we have the power to absolutely change our behaviour, we will inadvertently lose the power to change. Our desire for machine learning human behaviour will lead to an ouroboros effect, and down a path that does not allow growth but repeated behaviour cycles and outcomes.
Now not to become too pessimistic about our relationship with technology. There are some signs to believe that technology may help unify us. Machines have another contributor that is just as important as speed and that is memory. Being able to store all of human history digitally can be the key to drawing up a society that has learnt from past mistakes. To learn means to pass through moments in time. So with all of recorded history becoming digital we can potentially use machine learning AI to derive known solutions that have worked time and time again.
On a simpler level we can give people a way to find their own meaning and answers from history through an immersive experience. There are early developments of using 5G with AR to better communicate historical events and cultures that previous mediums could not. The technology will give multiple users a chance to engage in an event and with digital objects that were too fast to exist before. In this way VR and AR environments may hold the key to a better understanding of what makes people different and valuable.
Summary
The effects of what 5G can do are difficult to fully grasp, mainly because it is not yet a reality. From what has been described it is clear that there are lots of directions we can move forward as a society. Questions brought up:
What becomes of virtual resources that are in the abundance? How do we regulate machine learning now that it has the power of real time cause and effect? How trading in digital or abstract resources can be harder to quantify. And finally what the tools that communicate in real time can learn from the past for the betterment of society.
I do not think an answer will come from writing about the future of 5G. There will not be a final statement about the right way it should be used. It is inevitable though, and needs to come with a lot of forethought. I can at least try to highlight these ideas in my future works and posts. I would really enjoy to be able to use 5G in a self aware way and clearly bring into focus the forces at play. Our world is already going through a journey of disruption. Maybe now we can shake a bit more and show what else is happening in secret.