#183 Can AI Redefine Truth? Yuval Harari’s Perspective on the Risks to Power and Democracy in his new book Nexus
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In 1644, John Milton argued in "Areopagitica" that the free flow of ideas, including falsehoods, was essential to uncovering the truth.
He believed that allowing both truth and falsehood to grapple would eventually lead to the triumph of truth, suggesting that even misleading ideas could help polish and brighten the "armory of truth."
However, this optimistic outlook on information has been challenged over time, and in today’s digital age, this view is increasingly seen as inadequate in addressing the complex challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and the power dynamics of information networks.
Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned Israeli historian, challenges Milton’s optimistic perspective in his new book, highlighting how the modern information landscape is far more complicated.
Harari, whose books such as Sapiens have sold over 45 million copies, asserts that the internet hasn’t eradicated totalitarianism, and that deeply ingrained social issues like racism cannot be fact-checked away.
Harari also critiques the “populist view” that denies the existence of objective truth and uses information as a weapon. Interestingly, he points out the irony that the notion of truth being illusory—a view currently embraced by many right-wing politicians—originated with left-wing thinkers such as Karl Marx and Michel Foucault.
Harari’s global popularity and his status as a techno-futurist make his perspectives on the intersection of history, technology, and power even more significant in today’s political and technological climate.
In his latest work, Nexus, Harari presents a novel definition of information, which he argues is not about representing reality but about forming connections and organizing ideas, people, and societies.
According to Harari, information is a "social nexus" that has historically played a crucial role in orchestrating social order, from the stories and myths of early civilizations to modern media and digital platforms.
Harari builds on a recurring theme in his work: that humanity’s ability to cooperate on a large scale through shared narratives has been a key to its success. Whether it’s laws, currencies, religions, or national identities, many aspects of modern society are based on intangible concepts that gain their power through collective belief, even if those beliefs are not entirely accurate.
He contrasts myth, which engages and simplifies, with bureaucracy, which aims to capture reality through exhaustive lists and records. Both are essential to maintaining order. Holy texts and the scientific method, for instance, represent different approaches to questions of trust and truth, each with distinct roles in shaping societal structures.
Harari applies this framing to politics, portraying democracy and totalitarianism as contrasting information networks. In democratic systems, information flows are decentralized, with leaders recognized as fallible. Totalitarian systems, by contrast, centralize information and assume infallibility.
As the digital age ushers in new information technologies, Harari argues, we are witnessing shifts that could have profound political and societal consequences.
For Harari, the rise of AI represents a pivotal moment in human history, comparable to the impact of religious texts. Just as the decisions made centuries ago about which books to include in the Bible shaped societal norms for generations, today’s decisions about AI will have lasting effects on humanity’s future.
Harari provocatively suggests that AI could be seen as a form of "alien intelligence" and expresses concern that these technologies may create new myths, cults, and financial crises. He even warns of scenarios where autocrats hand over control of their nuclear arsenals to AI systems—though these may seem far-fetched to some.
The Dangers of AI: Myths, Bias, and Surveillance
Harari’s concerns about AI extend beyond hypothetical doomsday scenarios. He highlights real-world issues such as algorithmic bias, cyber-attacks, and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing problems like online radicalization and mass surveillance. In his view, AI systems are not just tools but active agents within information networks, capable of shaping reality in ways that humans cannot fully control or predict.
One of Harari’s more controversial arguments is his comparison of TripAdvisor—a site where tourists rate hotels and restaurants—to a "peer-to-peer surveillance system." While this may seem alarmist, it underscores his broader concern that everyday digital technologies can have far-reaching, unintended consequences.
His flexibility in defining "information networks" allows him to connect seemingly unrelated phenomena, from witch-hunting groups in early modern Europe to large language models like ChatGPT.
Despite some of Harari’s more outlandish predictions, his framing of AI as a new kind of "superhuman authority" provides a fresh perspective on the ethical and political challenges posed by emerging technologies.
He is, by his own admission, an outsider when it comes to AI and computing, which grants him a unique vantage point that resonates with both technology enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Harari’s ability to link historical patterns with modern technological concerns gives his narrative a striking originality. He explores how stories and myths have always been used to connect groups of people and shape societal structures, and how AI might play a similar role in the future.
Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Information and AI
Harari’s exploration of information, AI, and power is a timely and thought-provoking contribution to the ongoing debate about the role of technology in society.
His historical perspective offers valuable insights into how humanity might navigate the challenges posed by AI, misinformation, and the growing centralization of power within digital platforms.
In an era where information is increasingly wielded as a weapon, Harari’s argument that shared narratives—whether in the form of myths, bureaucratic systems, or AI algorithms—will continue to shape human networks and societal order is both compelling and deeply relevant.