Technology, in its broadest sense, means “the way we do things” – which can be manual, mechanical, and electronic. What does the way we do things say about the evolution of knowledge, and of our perspectives and priorities, over time? Does our technology reveal the mindset of its inventors, and those who use it?
Technology is the product of human knowledge, applied to a particular purpose. The applications of our technology change over time, but why do they change and what are the causes of our inventions? Are there times when we adapt to our technology, and other times when our technology adapts to us? Who – or what – determines the future course of the way we do things, and how do the rest of us have a say in the matter? Join in this ongoing dialogue as we explore the frontiers of technology from the combined perspectives of its developers and its users.
Quantum technology could significantly enhance the fight against deepfakes by improving detection and strengthening defenses, but it could also be used to create realistic holograms with the intention to deceive. We review the current state of deepfake technology, its risks of misinformation and manipulation, and emerging technologies and regulations to combat the widespread problem.
Major military powers are making significant investments in quantum technologies for battlefield advantages in computing probabilities and simulations, precision measurements of enemy assets and movements, and securing high-bandwidth communications. Quantum technologies will advance military automation and autonomous weapons systems, an objective that raises ethical issues for use of the developing power of quantum applications.
We look at six emerging ethical concerns for the potential power of quantum computing. While the technological breakthrough that enables its widespread use and applications might be years away – or just around the corner – we set out an historical perspective to frame the discussion on ethics that is best begun sooner rather than later.
A new mathematical proof points to global instability over time in machine learning, which is the basis for training chatbots like ChatGPT. Designed to generalize inputs from prompts and generate the most probable outputs, what does this mean for the future of chatbots trained on data from the past when human users operate in the dynamically changing present?
The scientific method’s emphasis on falsifiability, empirical evidence, incremental progress, and predictive power, makes it humanity’s most powerful tool for unraveling the mysteries of the universe. But can it reveal absolute truths, and knowledge about things like our own consciousness, that aren’t directly observable? We explore some important limitations and criticisms of the scientific method.
Google has a profound influence on the worldwide production and consumption of information with its search engine, YouTube, and other products. The U.S. Government’s antitrust lawsuit, and the way some websites use the company’s undisclosed algorithms to manipulate users, highlight serious questions about transparency, regulation, and misinformation that could be especially important in global elections in 2024.
The Quantum Record is a non-profit journal of philosophy, science, technology, and time. The potential of the future is in the human mind and heart, and in the common ground that we all share on the road to tomorrow. Promoting reflection, discussion, and imagination, The Quantum Record highlights the good work of good people and aims to join many perspectives in shaping the best possible time to come. We would love to stay in touch with you, and add your voice to the dialogue.