The rise of the Digital Messiah

At times, during the last 7 months in the #afterChatGPT era, I have felt like I am experiencing a version of The Matrix playing out around me. This swings from feelings of actively being part of the movie to viewing various scenes acted out of which I have no control to times when the whole #ai thing just doesn't seem to exist at all. These feelings are not confined to my role in education, both in and out of school. They occur in my social circles, as I 'enjoy' the chores and happenings of everyday life.

The 1999 Wachowski brothers' cyberpunk thriller, The Matrix can be interpreted in many ways and there are no shortage of commentators willing to offering perspectives on how the themes and plot of the movie reflect society. These often relate to reality and perception; consumerism and alienation; control and resistance; identity and self-discovery.

Reality and perception

The Matrix is said to lead audiences to question what is truly real and what isn't. With exponential AI growth we will live, work and play in ever-increasing layers of mediated reality, continuously blurring the line between the physical and digital world. In a sense, this is, in itself, a version of the Matrix.

Looking at this from a different viewpoint and considering what some responses are to AI/attitudes towards the technology, at times I have to question reality and perception. I see and talk to many people who either don't know, don't seem concerned or perhaps just expect it all to go away. Everyday life goes on as normal, but then that's to be expected. However, in conversations I have and overhear, there is little to suggest the rapid disruption that AI is about to cause to lives in so many ways.

The contrasts between the content I digest, the commentary I hear and discussions on the near-future upheaval society faces, are ever so stark. At times, these almost seem like the red pill/blue pill choice.

Consumerism and Alienation

In a similar way to how The Matrix portrays mindless consumerism and complacency present in society, at times, the media seems to be keeping the populace largely ignorant to the realities of AI. I sometimes feel like I am the viewer of the movie, watching the population kept docile by a constant stream of distractions, sensationalism, clickbait and keeping the status quo, while around the corner, a new reality awaits.

Ok, I appreciate that not everyone is as sad as I am and gets excited to be filling their spare time learning about, experimenting with and discussing/writing/speaking about AI and #aieducation. But, surely it should be more of a regular topic of conversation in every day life.

Control and Resistance

My reaction at times, to discomfort in watching the movie and my feelings of alienation as described above lead me to want to take more of a role in the movie.

Morpheus, in The Matrix, led the resistance - a struggle to break free from controlling systems, demanding change. In education, I share these strong feelings a lot of the time. I understand how education systems work, how schools, universities and assessment overseers operate. I can see the parts they play. Yet, I also know how these systems are often the biggest blockers to change. They rarely actively encourage substantial shifts in practice or in attitudes. This is clearly the case for the most part in respect of responses to AI thus far. Therefore, at times, I feel like I am in the role of Morpheus.

Outside of education, I largely go back to watching the movie. I do not see any examples of Morpheus. Maybe, that is secretly the part that Sam Altman is playing! Perhaps it is a little too early for this role to emerge though.

Versions of Agent Smith, whose primary role is to uphold the integrity of the Matrix, ensuring that it runs smoothly and without disruption; can be seen in various guises especially in the media. If we consider the primary task of Agent Smith to be hunting down and neutralising any threats, there seem a fair few spokespeople, naysayers, willing to do just that. The AI Doomsdayers appear en masse regularly. To me, they are early versions, potential or followers of the Agent Smiths.

Identity and Self-discovery

Focusing on Neo's journey from a corporate drone to the saviour of humanity reeks of personal transformation and reflects the individual's journey to break free from societal constraints and discover one's true potential.

Again, I feel myself playing a part in the movie in this respect. Please don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting for one minute that I am so significant or conceited to consider my role in any part of life anywhere near as important as saving humanity. I can barely save myself most of the time, if I am truly honest. However, I do see myself as a spokesperson, a collaborator, a thinker, a sharer, a positivist and a disruptor in respect of AI and AIEducation. I believe all of these roles are vital in the oft-bleak landscape that is portrayed around this topic.

The journey aspect is something I have experienced profoundly since November 2022. Although this is a space (in terms of AI, technology integration and demand for wholesale changes to education) that I have played in for a long time, the emergence of #ChatGPT has created a learning community the likes of which I have never experienced before. Being part of that community immerses me in a head-spinning global eco-system of teachers, academics, professionals, commentators, etc etc. The experiences and learning are, in themselves, transformative. I regularly interact with people in this space who in a similar vein to Neo, make me think about what it means to break free from societal constraints and discovering a different reality.

So, what this says about my current experiences or the effects of immersion in AI and societal developments, I don't know. However, offering these reflections, I hope, gives an insight into the confusing landscape I see in existence right now with the rise of AI, the Digital Messiah.