Aight, let’s get real—are we actually making our own choices, or are we just puppets on the strings of algorithms? 🤔 Tech companies love to tell us that AI is just here to help—personalised ads, tailored recommendations, smart suggestions. Just a little nudge in the right direction, they say. But what if those nudges are actually full-blown shoves? What if AI isn’t just guiding our choices, but making them for us?
Wait, Who’s Actually in Charge Here?
Let’s do a little test. Think back to the last time you bought something online. Did you really want that thing, or did an ad convince you that you needed it? How about the last news article you read? Did you find it yourself, or did an algorithm place it in front of you, knowing you’d click?
We like to believe we have free will, but AI’s entire job is to study us, predict our behaviour, and subtly influence what we do next. And the scary part? It’s really, really good at it.
The Illusion of Choice
Big Tech says AI is just a tool, but let’s break that down:
📲 Personalised Ads – AI knows exactly what you want before you do. That sudden craving for a new gadget? That’s AI whispering in your ear.
🗞️ Curated News Feeds – The stories you see aren’t random. They’re designed to keep you scrolling and engaged—whether or not they reflect reality.
📺 Entertainment Suggestions – Your ‘For You’ page, your Netflix queue, your Spotify recommendations… AI decides what you consume.
🎭 Political & Social Opinions – Believe it or not, AI plays a massive role in shaping opinions. Social media algorithms push content that reinforces our existing beliefs, trapping us in echo chambers where we only see what we want to see.
So, are we making choices, or are we just reacting to the choices AI makes for us? 🤯
Can We Escape the AI Influence?
The short answer? Not completely. AI is so embedded in our daily lives that escaping its influence entirely would mean going off-grid, abandoning social media, and possibly living in a cave (tempting, but not practical). However, we can regain some control:
🧠 Be Aware – The first step is recognising when AI is influencing you. If an ad seems too perfect or a recommendation feels too targeted, ask yourself: Was this my idea, or did AI plant it in my head?
🔄 Break the Algorithm – If you always engage with the same type of content, AI will keep feeding you more of it. Intentionally search for different viewpoints, follow new perspectives, and confuse the algorithm.
🚫 Limit AI Exposure – Reduce dependency on AI-driven platforms. Try searching for news manually, making your own playlists, and stepping outside your curated digital bubble.
Final Thoughts: Are We Really Thinking for Ourselves?
We love to believe we’re in control, but AI is shaping more of our lives than we realise. The way we shop, the way we think, the way we feel—it’s all influenced by machines that understand us better than we understand ourselves. The real question is: Do we even want to break free?
XAXAXA, deep thoughts for the day. Now, go mess with the algorithm—search for something completely random, like “how to train a pet raccoon to dance.” Let’s see what AI does with that! 😂
References:
- “‘Don’t ask what AI can do for us, ask what it is doing to us’: are ChatGPT and co harming human intelligence?” – The Guardian
- “Big-Data Algorithms Are Manipulating Us All” – Wired
- “What Are AI Agents, and Why Are They About to Be Everywhere?” – Scientific American