Unconscious Consu-victims and Enlightened Ultra-Humans: The Society of Consumerism Is at the Crossroads of Artificial Intelligence

The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and consumerism reveals a society divided into unconscious consumers and enlightened individuals. This chapter explores the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on human behavior and society. While technological advancements like AI grow exponentially, human adaptability lags, creating a gap in understanding and utilization. The chapter identifies three groups: creators of disenchantment who develop technology, designers of simplicity who make technology user-friendly, and the enchanted, divided into passive consumers and enlightened individuals who integrate ethical and cultural values into technology use. It argues for the importance of human-specific skills like creativity, critical thinking, and empathy in maintaining relevance and navigating the complexities of the digital age. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for a new kind of memory and cognitive strategy to manage the vast information flow in the digital world, advocating for a balanced approach to technology that preserves human values and critical thought.