Possible Futures: Exploring Deepfake and Neuralink

By Frank Diana | 22 July 2019
Reimagining the Future

A wafer of 10’s of thousands of flexible electrodes, each much smaller than a hair, and manufactured monolithically. Presented by Vanessa Tolosa, head of Neural Interfaces at Neuralink. (Photo: Steve Jurvetson / Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Two recent articles highlight the dilemma faced in this era of rapid innovation: the potential to enhance humanity, and the opportunity to diminish it. This article on DeepFakes describes the challenge that society will face as Deepfake video and audio make it impossible to tell the difference between reality and fiction. Audio attacks using convincing forgeries can send stocks plummeting or soaring. How about mimicking a CEO’s voice to request a senior financial officer to transfer money? These are real examples provided by Symantec. This short Video describes the money transfer scenario.

In another recent article, Elon Musk is at it again. He wants to hook your brain directly to computers starting next year. In his quest to create symbiosis with artificial intelligence, Musk founded Neuralink Corp. in July 2016 to create “ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers.” The company said in 2017 that its initial goal was to devise brain interfaces to alleviate the symptoms of chronic medical conditions. Neuralink may someday help treat brain disorders – but much like other Musk initiatives, something else is in play. Given the existential risk that Musk believes AI represents, merging with it is his way of securing humanity’s future as a civilization relative to AI.

These two examples underscore the need to Balance the Opposing Forces of Innovation. They should also impress upon all of us the need to focus on possible futures. Understanding the implications of scenarios such as these is critical to mitigating risk and avoiding unintended consequences. We should all be investing cycles in educating ourselves and staying informed.

Reprinted with permission from the author.

Frank Diana is a recognized futurist, thought leader and frequent keynote speaker. He has served in various executive roles throughout his career and has over 30 years of leadership experience. At Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), he is a thought leader and advisor in the context of business, societal and economic evolution. He blends a futurist perspective with a pragmatic, actionable approach – leveraging horizon scanning and story telling to see possible futures. His leadership experience obtained through various executive roles connects practical realities with the need to focus on an emerging future filled with complexity and change.

Digital Presence

LinkedIn Profile
Twitter Handle
Facebook Page
YouTube Channel
Google+ Profile
Medium
Presentation Content – Reimagining the Future