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Photo by 수안 최 on Unsplash *

AI. IoT. Blockchain. The Zombie Apocalypse.

One of these things doesn’t belong here. Or does it? Fast-track innovation and technology can entice consumer hunger for convenience, along with a big dollop of fear thrown in. What happens when the cool next-thing outpaces (or overruns) what people believe they want or really need?

           I have been thinking about this ever since Google Duplex was announced to the public earlier this year. Yes, it received a lot of media exposure as well as some backlash. The product marketing vs. consumer sides of me had two simultaneous reactions: “Is that ready to launch” and “Eewww, that’s creepy”. Opposite of the netizens in Northern California and Silicon Beach, I have not followed this news as closely. Until today.
          California lawmakers took steps, on the regulation side, with the signing of SB-1001 by Governor Brown. This did not hit the news cycle as loud as Net Neutrality. However, it affects the same ecosystem. The timing also parallels a need for restoring public trust after major data breeches. Maintaining customer loyalty becomes a more slippery slope for the continued growth of tech.
          How to encourage innovation while regulating and ethically deploying the use of AI, bots or blockchain is a challenge for both business and government. This technology has been in development for years in Silicon Valley California and globally. The general public is not overly aware – yet. As a consumer, AI or bots are already in your life (if you are a small business owner, see Facebook Bots 101). Every exciting news event is somewhat tempered by the love-hate relationship people have with technology.
          Are human fears of negative life changes – through tech manufacturing or device usage – justified? Absolutely. Historic examples – even those of good intentions – can often have devastating results in hindsight. Any fan of science fiction knows story scenarios have a basis in science fact (see Skynet from Terminator and everyone’s favorite demented system, HAL9000). Who do you trust to lay out the “facts” and bring balance between tech extremes of good and evil...? (Sorry, no force jokes here. Factoid: I am a Trekkie).
          I have no defined conclusion to my thoughts on this. On a personal level, I have worked in tech product marketing off-and-on for years. So, having a bot ID itself definitely changes the designed experience. And, that makes it a harder sell in many ways. Alternately, if the public perceives something as deceptive, what happens to your company value-proposition, Tech Gurus?
          My friend and family circle includes a lot of early adopters. (Yes. I still wait until my best friend buys it, breaks it, discovers the bugs in it, patiently re-educates a tech support team by phone, and eventually has a working version. Then, I buy it.)

I am cautiously optimistic for the future. Do I want my toaster to talk to my refrigerator? Not really. (Besides, they both think the microwave has an attitude). What I do believe is that innovations in sustainable green technology can save us all from the zombie apocalypse.

Will California be a leader in green tech? Stay tuned.

 
*If someone can let me know the original street artist’s name (Blog post image), I will gladly give a credit.