MILLIONS of Filipinos open their mobile phones or computers every day, unaware of the power and influence of telecommunications companies (telcos) and internet service providers (ISPs), now enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), to enable calls, deliver information, and transmit messages and images in an instant.
This AI-driven internet is, at present, an unstoppable force in our lives. Its ability to deliver information; give commands and manipulate data; spread fake news; and influence, groom and sexually abuse people online can harm millions of children and adults. It is like a criminal enterprise enabled by telcos and ignored by the government.
But the internet is also used for good. It is used to promote justice and peace, human rights and Gospel values; protect human dignity; spread truth; counter evil; and challenge oppression and exploitation in our society with truth, love and kindness.
Merriam-Webster defines the internet as an “electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world.” Access to it is made possible through servers owned and managed by telcos that send electronic signals to devices and connect people around the globe almost instantaneously.
The now-AI-powered internet signal is said to be the “new God.” It is almost omnipresent and seemingly omnipotent, as it controls human activities, especially financial systems that make the world function. It is a “God” that does not promise or make a new paradise on earth. It is a “God” more powerful than the humans that created it but cannot fully control.
With the rapid development of AI, a powerful software program can make another that is more powerful. AI is fast developing into “super intelligence,” causing grave concern around the world as computer experts and creators of AI programs warn that it is getting beyond their control.
The introduction of satellite internet makes this “God-like presence” all the more powerful — and all the more dangerous — in our lives. It is almost untouchable while ever present. The highly toxic content on some internet-powered platforms like Reddit and Discord is waking up Philippine law enforcement that seem powerless to stop them from spewing such negative content and allowing child abuse to happen.
It has been discovered that these platforms allow hate speech and influence young people to commit extremely violence, like when a 16-year-old Grade 9 student shot dead two people and wounded others at a school in South Cotabato province on Sept. 18. These same platforms also allow child abusers to connect with children and groom them for sexual acts.
There are many other platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, which have been criticized for allowing child-abuse images and videos to stream, thus endangering children. Some Philippine government officials claim they even endanger national security. Telegram has almost no content control or moderation, and allows child-abuse images, self-harm and severe exploitation on its platform. Snapchat’s most dangerous defining feature is “disappearing messages and images” used by predators to commit sextortion almost without detection. (To be continued)/PN
