Alright, let’s take a step back and ask a slightly terrifying question—are we already living in a sci-fi horror story? 🤖💀 From AI surveillance to social credit systems, many of the “what ifs” (not the Disney+ series) explored in shows like Black Mirror, The Matrix, and Wall-E (few of my favourite series and movies) are no longer fiction. They’re happening, slowly creeping into our everyday lives.
So, how close are we to a fully AI-controlled society? Are we unknowingly plugged into a dystopian future? And more importantly—are we ready for it? Let’s break it down.
1. Big Brother is Watching (and So is AI)
You know that episode of Black Mirror where people rate each other like a five-star Grab ride (Nosedive, Season 3)? Guess what? China actually has a social credit system, where good behaviour gets you perks, and bad behaviour (like jaywalking) can get you blacklisted. 🚦👀
And it’s not just China. AI-powered surveillance is everywhere now.
- CCTV with facial recognition – You walk through KL Sentral, and the cameras can probably identify you.
- Your phone listens to you – Ever talked about a product and suddenly got ads for it? Coincidence? I think not.
- Workplace tracking – Some companies use AI to monitor employees’ keystrokes, emails, and even facial expressions.
The scariest part? Most of us don’t even question it anymore.
2. AI Knows You Better Than Yourself
Remember the “The Entire History of You” episode from Black Mirror? The one where people could replay every single memory? Feels extreme, right? But look at what’s happening now:
- Google and Facebook track everything you do—what you search, what you like, where you go.
- Netflix and Spotify recommend content based on your past behaviour.
- Even your online shopping history is predicting your next move.
It’s like we’re living in The Matrix, except instead of fighting machines, we willingly give them all our data. XAXAXA.
3. Automation: The Rise of the Jobless Future?
Another classic dystopian warning? Machines taking over jobs. This ties into my article The Pros and Cons of Living in a Fully AI-Driven Society—automation is both a blessing and a curse.
- In Malaysia, self-checkout kiosks are replacing cashiers—fast, but at what cost?
- Fast-food chains are testing robot chefs—human cooks might not be needed soon.
- AI customer service is taking over call centres—no more “Tekan 1 untuk Bahasa Melayu.”
Wall-E was supposed to be a fun movie, but let’s be real—we’re getting closer to that reality. A future where humans sit around doing nothing while AI does all the work? Some might call it paradise, but it also means less purpose, less control, and maybe even less freedom.
4. Deepfakes & Misinformation: Can We Trust Anything Anymore?
In the age of AI-generated content, fake news is getting smarter.
- Deepfake videos can create fake politicians saying whatever someone wants.
- AI can generate realistic fake photos and voices.
- Misinformation spreads faster than real news.
Imagine waking up one day, and there’s a video of you saying things you never said. In a world where “seeing is believing,” what happens when we can’t believe what we see anymore? That’s some next-level Black Mirror horror.
So, Are We Already in a Dystopia?
Well, let’s put it this way—we’re not in full sci-fi horror mode yet, but we’re getting there. Technology is advancing faster than we can regulate it, and we’re barely thinking about the consequences.
What Can We Do?
1️⃣ Question Everything – Just because tech is convenient doesn’t mean it’s good for us. Start asking: “What’s the trade-off?”
2️⃣ Protect Your Data – Use privacy settings, stop oversharing online, and maybe, just maybe, read the T&Cs for once. 😆
3️⃣ Don’t Be Overly Reliant on AI – Sure, AI helps, but don’t let it do all the thinking for you. Stay sharp.
4️⃣ Fight for Ethical Tech – Support regulations that make AI more transparent and accountable.
Final Thoughts
Dystopias aren’t built in a day—they creep in, little by little, until one day, we wake up in The Matrix and realise we gave up our freedom for convenience.
Technology isn’t the enemy. How we use it is what matters. So, the real question is:
🔥 Are we smart enough to stop our sci-fi nightmares from becoming real?
References
- Deepseek AI China Privacy – Wired
- Automation And The Future Of Work – Forbes
- Deepfake Misinformation – BBC
- Living in a Fully AI-Driven Society: Utopia or Dystopia? – Here
What do you think? Are we already living in a Black Mirror episode? Or do we still have a chance to steer this in a better direction? Let me know! 🤖✨