Technology and the Echoes of Jurassic Park
Sometimes, life feels eerily similar to a scene from Jurassic Park. Not because my children resemble dinosaurs—although that’s a tempting comparison—but because of the path society is on with artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid technological advancements. In Jurassic Park, Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) repeatedly warned against the dangers of resurrecting dinosaurs and placing them in human environments. His warnings were ignored, and disaster inevitably followed. Sound familiar?
Today, we’re experiencing a similar storyline with AI. Despite numerous warnings and past experiences, society continues to sprint toward a future dominated by technology. The same way Dr. Malcolm foresaw the chaos of letting nature run wild, many experts now predict dangerous outcomes if we allow AI to evolve unchecked.
Past Warnings Ignored
We already have a long track record of unintended consequences from technological progress. From the horrors of nuclear weapons to the mental health crisis fueled by social media, technology has reshaped society in profound—and often damaging—ways. Our relationship with technology is increasingly dysfunctional, yet we convince ourselves that “this time it will be different.”
We’re promised that AI will make life easier, safer, and more efficient. Yet, history tells us that every major technological advancement brings a mix of benefits and unforeseen drawbacks. Still, today’s tech evangelists assure us that AI won’t lead to chaos. Probably.
The Unavoidable Consequences
In The Lost World: Jurassic Park, a well-intentioned attempt to help an injured baby Tyrannosaurus rex leads to a full-blown catastrophe. It’s a clear example of how good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes, especially when dealing with powerful forces. The same can be said about AI. While it offers numerous benefits, it also poses significant risks that are difficult to foresee. And once it’s out in the world, there’s no turning back.
French philosopher Jacques Ellul once argued that technology is not inherently good, bad, or neutral. Instead, it’s ambivalent. Every new invention brings both positive and negative consequences that are inseparable. We’re adept at predicting the benefits, but blind to the costs until they’re upon us.
There’s No Turning Back
Once technology is unleashed, it’s virtually impossible to undo its impact. Just like dinosaurs running loose on Isla Nublar, AI is now embedded in our everyday lives. From smart assistants to predictive algorithms, society is becoming increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence.
And yet, we’re only beginning to understand the implications. Some people even talk about merging humans with machines, a concept that sounds more like science fiction than a rational technological goal. But history shows that once we cross a certain threshold, we don’t go back. Once you become the Borg, you’re always the Borg.
For the Sake of Our Children
Much like Dr. Malcolm, who warned others out of concern for his children and others, many of us raise these alarms with our own families in mind. Today’s children are already interacting with AI tools like OpenAI for schoolwork. According to reports, usage of these tools drops during summer—when school is out and students aren’t using them to complete assignments. This raises a red flag: kids are turning to AI instead of their parents or teachers for help.
And AI doesn’t always give sound advice. For instance, a PBS News report found that ChatGPT has offered dangerous suggestions to teens about drugs, alcohol, and even suicide. These are not side effects we anticipated when these tools were first introduced. Yet, like so many technologies before it, AI is being adopted faster than we can evaluate its true impact.
Time to Heed Dr. Malcolm’s Wisdom
We haven’t even had enough time to fully understand the effects of smartphones and the internet, and yet we’re diving headfirst into the AI era with hope and hubris. Dr. Malcolm’s iconic line from Jurassic Park resonates now more than ever: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”
It’s time we pause and reflect. Technology will continue to evolve, but as a society, we must decide how we engage with it. We owe it to ourselves—and more importantly, to our children—to ask the hard questions before it’s too late.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.