The more I hear about artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, the more confusing my thoughts become.
On one hand, the immersive experience that comes with gaming in virtual reality makes game nights with my roommates the highlight of my day. On the other hand, there are the bouts of nausea, dizziness and motion sickness that comes with the activity.
As our technological capabilities expand, so too does the good and the bad that comes from these advancements. We may have augmented reality simulations that allow future pilots to become familiar with the cockpit while in training and artificial intelligence that aids graphic designers through Adobe Photoshop’s generative fill feature, but what about the negative impacts of this technology?
Sitting in front of a computer screen all day for class, work and entertainment (I know that last one is on me) has already done a number on my eyes, leaving me tired by the end of the day. I can’t imagine wearing augmented reality goggles for hours to work in virtual office spaces like some enthusiasts suggest.
As it is, VR goggles can cause dry eyes, blurry vision, disorientation and headaches. I’ve experienced all this after just an hour or two of using them.
Artificial intelligence is helpful for generating ideas for pet projects and hobbies, but I refrain from using it because I worry about what will happen if I stop using my creative muscles for too long.
Don’t get me wrong. AI, AR and VR are all tools I find interesting and fun to dabble in. I’ve had my fair share of each one and I can’t say I won’t stop using any of them. How else will I see my Murkrow at the park while playing PokémonGo?
I can see both the appeal and the benefit of them all, but when it comes to wearing glasses all day that project digital information onto your surroundings and offer constant AI assistance, there’s something a little off-putting to me about altering the human experience this excessively.
Just as I try to limit my screen time with devices that are common in our everyday lives already, such as phones, laptops and TVs, I’ll be taking great care to do the same in the future with whatever comes next.
I don’t think we need to fear the future, but we should be prepared to adjust and maintain a healthy balance.
The important thing to remember is that you can regulate your own attention. I’ll just accept the bad with the good and manage my own well-being as always.
