DL 366
Think Feasibility, Not Adoption
Welcome to Digitally Literate, issue #366. With wildfires affecting air quality across much of the U.S., I’m thinking of those impacted. Stay safe out there.
🔖 Key Takeaways
- Apple Vision Pro & Spatial Computing: The potential of Apple’s new device and the concept of spatial computing.
- AI Progress: Expert forecasts on high-level machine intelligence and AI safety.
- Digital Translation: The challenges of multilingual language models in AI.
- Critical Thinking: Balancing productivity with the dangers of cognitive over-automation.
📚 This Week’s Highlights
1. Apple Vision Pro
Apple announced the Vision Pro at its Developer’s Conference. Touted as a leap forward in spatial computing, the device avoids terms like VR, AR, or XR. While many balk at the hefty price tag, its potential for redefining human-computer interaction remains intriguing.
Why this matters: The Vision Pro may challenge assumptions about what is feasible in consumer technology, much like the Apple Watch did in its early days.
2. 2022 Expert Survey on AI Progress
A survey conducted before the AI boom predicted a 50% chance of achieving high-level machine intelligence (HLMI) by 2059. Respondents emphasized the need for increased AI safety research and underscored the importance of focusing on feasibility, not just adoption.
Why this matters: Understanding where AI experts thought we were helps contextualize today’s rapid advances.
3. Lost in Translation
Multilingual language models promise increased access across languages but face issues like poor training data and contextual errors. While they hold potential for content moderation, these models are far from perfect.
Why this matters: Overestimating these models risks perpetuating biases and errors in critical tasks like moderation and accessibility.
4. The Cognitive Risks of AI
AI tools can streamline tasks but also risk disrupting our ability to focus and process information deeply. Ezra Klein warns against over-automating cognitive and creative processes, which may diminish learning opportunities.
Why this matters: Striking the right balance between automation and deep engagement is key to human flourishing.
5. Instagram’s Troubling Role
A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Instagram’s recommendation system connects a network of accounts promoting underage content. While Meta promises improvements, its algorithms raise serious concerns about safety.
Why this matters: Companies must prioritize user safety over growth at all costs.
6. Spatial Computing
First coined by Simon Greenwold in 2003, spatial computing refers to human-computer interaction that integrates real-world spaces and objects. Apple’s avoidance of VR/AR terminology suggests a broader ambition for the Vision Pro.
📖 Learn about spatial computing
Why this matters: Apple’s rebranding could signal a paradigm shift in how we think about technology and reality.
🛠️ DO: Rekindle Childhood Hobbies
Take time this summer to revisit hobbies you loved as a kid. Whether it’s playing video games, painting, or crafting, these activities can reignite your creativity and joy.
🌟 Closing Reflection
“One lesson of the digital age is that more is not always better.”
— Ezra Klein
Thank you for reading Digitally Literate. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions. Connect with me at hello@digitallyliterate.net or explore Newsletter Index for all past issues.