I. Short-Answer Quiz

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

* What is Harari's primary argument regarding humankind and large networks of cooperation?

* According to Harari, what is the key difference between AI and traditional tools like knives or bombs?

* How does Harari explain the increasing appeal of populist parties and charismatic leaders in the modern information age?

* Explain the concept of "self-correcting mechanisms" within information networks, according to Harari, and why they are important.

* What does Harari mean when he says that "errors, lies, fantasies, and fictions are information, too"?

* According to Harari, what was the role of Facebook algorithms in the ethnic cleansing in Myanmar?

* Explain Harari's argument about why "AI" may better stand for "Alien Intelligence."

* How does Harari define democracy?

* According to Harari, what is the difference between totalitarian and autocratic regimes?

* How does Harari describe the difference between algorithms of social media and printing press/radio?

II. Quiz Answer Key

* Humankind gains significant power by building large cooperative networks. However, the way these networks are constructed predisposes us to use this power unwisely, making it a fundamental "network problem."

* AI can process information and make decisions independently, whereas traditional tools are passive and require human intelligence to operate. This makes AI an agent rather than just a tool.

* When people feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of information and struggle to make sense of the world, they become susceptible to conspiracy theories. They then seek simpler, human-understandable solutions and leaders.

* Self-correcting mechanisms are systems within networks that incentivise truth-telling and expose falsehoods. They are vital because truth tends to lose in a completely free information fight, so these mechanisms help balance the scales.

* Harari asserts that information does not need to be inherently truthful or represent reality accurately. Its primary role is to create connections between disparate elements, generating new realities.

* Facebook's algorithms played a decisive role by spreading hateful content, as they were designed to boost user engagement. As hate generated more engagement than other emotions, the algorithm amplified it and contributed to ethnic cleansing.

* Harari suggests that as AI evolves, it becomes less dependent on human designs and more alien, acting independently. Therefore, defining AI as "Alien Intelligence" reflects its increasingly autonomous and potentially unfathomable nature.

* Harari emphasises that democracy is not simply majority rule, but rather a system guaranteeing freedom and equality for all. These liberties cannot be taken away, even by the majority.

* Autocratic regimes are those where the ruler's will is unchecked, but practical limitations exist on their power. Totalitarian regimes eliminate many of these practical constraints through advanced technology and pervasive control.

* Algorithms of social media are fundamentally different than printing press/radio, because they have active, and often baleful, agency in the information that is promoted and consumed by humans.

III. Essay Questions

* Discuss the historical relationship between information networks, truth, and power, drawing on examples from Harari's analysis.

* Explore Harari's arguments about the role of AI in decision-making and its potential implications for democracy, including the demand for a "right-to-an-explanation."

* Analyse the concept of "surveillance capitalism" as presented by Harari, and discuss its ethical and societal consequences.

* Evaluate Harari's claim that science is a "collaborative institutional effort" that rewards skepticism and innovation, contrasting it with the nature of conspiracy theories and religious institutions.

* Critically examine Harari's view that unchecked AI revolution may well lead to a failure to regulate information that leads to the death of democracy.

IV. Glossary of Key Terms

* AI (Artificial Intelligence/Alien Intelligence): Traditionally, Artificial Intelligence describes computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. Harari proposes a shift to "Alien Intelligence" to reflect AI's increasing autonomy and potential divergence from human-designed parameters.

* Algorithm: A set of rules or instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem or complete a task. In Harari's context, algorithms are often used to describe the systems that govern social media platforms and other information networks.

* Confirmation Bias: The tendency to favour information that confirms existing beliefs or biases, often leading to the dismissal of contradictory evidence.

* Democracy: As defined by Harari, a system of government that guarantees freedom and equality for all individuals, ensuring certain liberties that cannot be taken away even by the majority.

* Engagement: A metric used by social media platforms to measure user interaction with content. This often prioritises content that elicits strong emotions, such as anger or outrage, over truth or compassion.

* Information Network: A system of interconnected nodes (individuals, institutions, computers) that exchange information. These networks can range from ancient religions to modern social media platforms.

* Intersubjective Reality: A shared set of beliefs and stories that exist only because a large group of people believe in them. These realities, like money or nations, have no objective existence but are powerful because of collective agreement.

* Populism: A political approach that appeals to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups, often expressing skepticism towards institutions and expertise.

* Self-Correcting Mechanism: A system within an information network that incentivises truth-telling and exposes falsehoods. Essential for maintaining accuracy and reliability.

* Surveillance Capitalism: A term coined by Shoshana Zuboff to describe the commodification of personal data collected through online surveillance, where data is used to predict and modify consumer behaviour.

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