Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming our world, but its rise is accompanied by a host of complex ethical, social, and environmental questions. A recent podcast discussion between James McLean and me delves into these critical issues, offering a timely exploration of the AI revolution and its potential consequences — as part of the Kasterborous Podkast, continuing on from the days of the Doctor Who Companion‘s predecessor.
The podcast, available on Spotify, tackles a range of topics, from the appropriate use of AI in cultural contexts, such as the potential (and potential pitfalls) of AI-assisted restoration of lost media like Doctor Who episodes, to the crucial need for open debate and community involvement in shaping AI’s future. McLean raises concerns about the indiscriminate application of AI and emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations, particularly when dealing with established cultural touchstones. He says:
“As we say, there’s just so many issues around this, and then when I see it… I feel like for Doctor Who purposes, I feel that’s just not very Doctor Who. It doesn’t feel the spirit of Doctor Who.”
The conversation also explores the accessibility of AI and the potential for a “digital divide.” McLean draws a parallel to the early days of the internet, suggesting that the current AI boom, fuelled by venture capital, could eventually lead to paywalls and restricted access, limiting the benefits of this powerful technology to a privileged few. The podcast further examines the significant energy demands of generative AI, raising concerns about its environmental footprint and the potential for a new form of inequality based on access to sustainable energy.
But there’s certainly a difficulty in containing a technology once it has been unleashed; indeed, that “the current situation is a ship that has sailed, a genie that will not go back into the lamp.” The discussion also touches on the inherent “artificiality” of AI-generated content, comparing it to CGI and suggesting that this characteristic might serve as a long-term indicator for distinguishing AI creations from human-made work.
Oh, and we talk about the Doctor Who missing episodes!
