Compass December 2023 - AI and Futures

This issue probes the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence and its multi-dimensional impact on society. Richard Yonck challenges common assumptions about AI arguing that we often confuse cognitive emulation with actual human thought. Roger Spitz introduces techistentialism exploring the risk of superstupidity as being as dangerous as superintelligence. Sylvia Gallusser analyzes the future of media and news through generative AI scenarios such as the Frugal AI and the Reality Continuum. Jeremy Wilken presents four narratives for the future of self-driving cars ranging from subscription models to suburban utopias. Jim Lee shares personal adventures in applying AI to investment management highlighting both benefits and misadventures. Devin Fidler uses the Tower of Babel myth as an allegory for the potential disruption of human sensemaking by agentic AI. Sarah DaVanzo discusses the power and perils of corporate futurism and the rise of the augmented futurist. Anne Boysen tests large language models for human bias in foresight research finding they often regress to the mean of mainstream bias. Charles Brass argues that ChatGPT is accelerating a centuries-long trend of making work more efficient and productive. Agnis Stibe and Samista Jugwanth explore using behavioral data and AI to evolve into persuasive smart cities. The issue also includes Beth Barany's practical nine-step guide to planning and writing a novel.