1984 in the Age of AI and Algorithms

I first read George Orwell's 1984 back in high school. At the start of this year, out of sheer boredom, I picked it up for a second read. What started as a way to pass the time quickly evolved into a fun, yet deeply unsettling experience. Orwell wrote the book in opposition to communist identity and authoritarianism, but today, his vision of the future feels spookily relevant.

What it's about#

1984 explores a dystopian society where the government exercises total control. The citizens of Oceania are constantly watched through "telescreens," and even acting reluctantly in front of Big Brother's propaganda can result in being labelled a thought criminal.

What stuck with me#

The telescreens worried me the most, mainly because of how closely they mirror our current reality. Our technology, as much as it helps us, actively spies on us—sometimes knowing us better than we know ourselves. We live in a world where we are constantly tracked. For example, Life360, a popular tracking app for families, has been known to sell location data to third parties. Right here in Australia, Coles has begun using AI software from Palantir to track the movements of shoppers in its stores. This is a clear breach of privacy, and the worst part is that the majority of us are oblivious to it, or even supportive.

In the book, the most fierce and devoted followers of Big Brother are the youth, who have been conditioned since birth to believe everything they are told. It made me wonder: what difference is there between them and the youth of today who blindly follow the advice of any AI or government without verifying it for themselves?

"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four."

The main difference between Winston and the younger generation in 1984 is that he still has memories, though few, of a time before the regime. Similarly, those of us born early enough still remember growing up having to write assessments by ourselves and use critical thinking. Relying entirely on automation discourages self-thinking, which is the line between freedom and being enslaved. I'd argue this enslavement is already happening under our noses, and we sometimes blatantly welcome it.

Instagram is marketed as a social network to share experiences with friends, yet people are lonelier than ever. The algorithm that dictates what we are shown usually feeds us well-placed ads that seem almost organic, making us voluntary slaves to the dopamine these apps provide.

Funnily enough, close to the time I finished reading the book, my girlfriend and I were at South Bank in Brisbane when we got robbed. What felt eerily similar to the book's themes was the aftermath: luckily, we got our stuff back, but only because the police were able to track the thieves, and we could easily track our phones. It was a strange moment of relief mixed with realization—if it’s that easy for us to track someone, imagine how much easier it is for a billion-dollar corporation.

Who it's for#

Don't get me wrong: I love technology, progress, and the wonders of the internet. I write an internet blog, I use AI, and I use social media.

But this book is a must-read for anyone navigating today's digital landscape. It is a powerful reminder that we need to be wary of our tech use and balance automation with critical thinking. That balance is the thin line between becoming enslaved like the proles, or fighting for our freedom like Winston.