MindShield

Honoured to give my first talk of many on the imminent importance of Cognitive Security or CogSec within the realm of cybersecurity, mental health, education, design and technology at the FIC North America Conference 2023 held in Montréal. Modern warfare is not necessarily a mushroom cloud- but more likely to be a silent invasion. A battle fought not just in cyberspace but in the very synapses of our brains. No matter how secure our systems are, the brain doesn’t come with a password. Psychological operations and social engineering are involved in over 90% of cyber crimes. PsyOps are cheaper, faster, easier and far more scalable than any other weapon. How can we still ignore this? What are we doing to protect ourselves?

Artificial Intimacy, achieved through advanced AI and bots, aims to intervene in and simulate personal, intimate interactions, pushing the boundaries of human-machine relationships. While this innovative approach can offer companionship and support, it also necessitates significant caution. The creation of synthetic intimacy, especially driven by big tech ‘Meta’ can lead to ethical quandaries, such as the risk of diminishing genuine human connections and fostering dependency on virtual interactions. It forces me to ask—are we, as a society, prepared for this level of technological intimacy? Balancing the benefits and potential pitfalls of Artificial Intimacy is crucial, as it has the power to reshape our understanding of relationships, connection, and intimacy itself. I’m not convinced it’s for the better.

Working in cyber-psychology, I explore the evolving digital landscape where AI and information abundance reign and it's impact on human cognition and social behaviour. Here's a concise look at the challenge: intellectual laziness. 1) Intellectual Laziness: AI's bringing information to our fingertips with the utmost ease can make us passive consumers of information rather than active seekers of knowledge. While the convenience is undeniable, it has a subtle side effect—our critical thinking muscles can atrophy, making it challenging to deeply analyze, synthesize, and innovate. 2) Psychological Impact: The speed at which AI delivers solutions can cultivate impatience and an expectation of instant gratification. This can lead to frustration and a diminished capacity to persevere when tackling complex issues that demand time and cognitive effort to resolve. 3) Productivity & Intelligence: Leveraging AI support while continuing to nurture our cognitive abilities is essential for sustainable productivity and the cultivation of genuine intelligence. I believe it's essential to be mindful of how technology is shaping our behaviour at light speed. Focus on engaging your mind, fostering curiosity, and critical thinking. AI should enhance, not diminish, our intellectual prowess. #AI #Cyberpsychology #Intelligence #Humancognition #Awareness #Mindfulness