This is a submission for the Future Writing Challenge: How Technology Is Changing Things.
Additional Prize Categories
Ripple Effects (because tech is changing everything from jobs to dating to how we argue with chatbots).
And maybe "Dystopian Comedy", if that’s a thing.
Dear Friends, Family, and That One Cousin Who Still Googles ‘Google’,
Since all of you are experiencing the wonders of technology in your own special ways—some of you talking to ChatGPT more than your own mom (bet you even say ‘thank you’ to it), others still asking me how to ‘refresh’ a webpage—I figured it’s time for a little update on where the future is actually heading.
When we think of what tech can become, we imagine flying cars, robots doing our chores, or maybe WiFi on the moon. Instead, we got rock PNG images selling for millions (cough NFTs cough), AI writing breakup texts, and people dropping actual money on digital outfits for their avatars (looking at you, Metaverse fashion).
This is the world we live in. Welcome.
Work in the AI Boom
Of course, AI isn’t all bad. It helps businesses run faster, generates ideas in seconds, and saves people time on boring tasks. But sometimes, it takes its ‘helpfulness’ a little too far...
- McDonald’s opened a fully automated restaurant—no cashiers, just screens. Your McFlurry machine is still broken, though.
- Some companies let AI write articles without telling their human writers they were fired. Imagine finding out you’re unemployed from ChatGPT.
- A lawyer once tried using AI to win a case—only to realize his AI had cited fake court cases. Bro really let AI cook and got sued for it.
Oh, and AI is already running companies. A Chinese firm called NetDragon literally made an AI their CEO. The wildest part? The company’s stock went up. If this keeps up, one day your manager will be an algorithm, and your performance review will be a software update.
School: No One is Safe
Students are outsourcing their homework to ChatGPT, while teachers are using AI to grade papers (good luck convincing a bot that your dog ate your essay).
Some schools in China even tested headbands that track students’ brain activity to see if they’re paying attention. Imagine getting a notification that your mind wandered during algebra. In the future, kids might just learn calculus from TikTok slideshows.
Human connections
Some people are in full-on relationships with AI chatbots. When Replika AI toned down its weird responses, users protested—actual riots over a chatbot losing its rizz. Someone even married an AI waifu, wedding and all.
Meanwhile, real people are using AI to craft the perfect Tinder messages, meaning we’re all just catfishing each other… but with AI-generated charm. It won’t be long before people start getting dumped for a newer software update. Imagine breaking up because GPT 7.0 is a 'better listener'.
- Japan already has rent-a-friend services—yes, you can pay someone to pretend to be your bestie.
- Concerts are going virtual; Travis Scott’s biggest performance happened inside Fortnite.
- Lil Miquela, an Instagram influencer, gets brand deals despite not being real.
At this rate, we’ll send AI clones to social events while we stay in bed.
So, Where Are We Heading?
We’re on the verge of either a tech utopia or a Black Mirror episode. The big question is:
Are we using technology to improve our lives, or are we just finding dumber ways to avoid reality?
But hey, let’s not forget—tech is also amazing.
- AI is curing diseases
- Self-driving cars are real
- Blockchain is revolutionizing finance
- The internet keeps us connected
- Also YouTube is a blessing, too much knowledge.
Sure, we have AI CEOs and rock image buyers, but we also have endless possibilities to build, create, and innovate. The future is what we make of it, so fingers crossed we don’t accidentally let an AI fridge take over the world.
Stay sane (if it’s still a thing),
Gayathri P
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