Tech That Truly Terrifies Me

As a cyber professional and educator, I have spent a lot of time talking to people about how we can responsibly integrate new tech developments into our society. I emphasize the importance of ethical development, government regulations, and consumer protections as we navigate this rapidly evolving phase of the Digital Age. I talk about the broad and novel cognitive and community implications of technology, and recommend investment in widespread digital literacy. I compare the needs for such education to the firearms safety classes I grew up taking in the rural South. 

I foot stomp how we should not inherently fear technology or stifle its progress; but instead, should consider its dual usage applications. Tech can make our lives better, and it can also do a whole lot of harm. It’s not necessarily inherently good or evil - it’s simply a tool that humans can utilize for their own purposes. This rational, objective approach to living in a hyperconnected world satisfies my own anxieties about technology most of the time; however, if I’m being totally honest, there are technological developments in the works that truly terrify me. 

I hope these fears are just my own paranoias that will never come to fruition in a way that impacts you and me. Yet, I worry that people will use these new and innovative technologies to cause great harm. These terrifying technologies require more research, restrictions, and restraints than just a handful of digital literacy classes. They represent a Pandora’s Box of cyber-infused havoc, unlike anything humankind has ever seen. 

Here are five emerging technologies that truly terrify me:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Singularity

AI singularity is the point when the technology is actually smarter than humans. This doesn’t mean ChatGPT knows more random historical facts than you, or can more quickly recall last week’s schedule. Instead, AI singularity represents a point at which AI is the apex predator, not humankind. What would cyberwarfare look like if it’s not us against our peer adversaries, but instead, humankind against the technology we created that morphed and evolved into something bigger, better, and without a kill switch? Concerning. 

Organoid Intelligence (OI)

Buckle up, because Organoid Intelligence (OI) is pretty freaky. OI differs from AI in that OI involves taking “organoids” such as human brain cells, and integrating them with a technological system, such as a drone or robot. Essentially, OI creates “mini-brains” (without the human!) that can do things, such as learning and adapting, that mimic human cognition without being “tied” to a computer network. This takes the fear of robot takeover to a whole new level. 

For more information on OI, check out Tipping Spears Episode 13 - Dr. Sean Guillory: Cognitive Warfare, Neuroscience, and National Security. 

Nanobots

Nanobots are tiny little technological devices that can get into our bloodstream and even cross the blood-brain barrier (that’s quite a feat - even some pharmaceuticals can’t do that!). In the world of medicine, the development of nanobots promises many benefits in terms of diagnosis and treatment; however, should these tiny little invaders be weaponized to harm the people whom they have entered, such could spell disaster. Talk about being “too close for comfort”!

Brain-Computer Interfaces

When I talk about being concerned with the merging of humans with technology, I’m not talking about exoskeletons. The military’s been working on that for a long time, and yes, while there are concerns, the X-Man soldiers aren’t part of my recurring nightmares. The thing that truly freaks me out way more than suped-up soldiers is the freakish development in the private sector of brain-computer interfaces capable of reading human minds. We’re not just talking about wearable tech or neural implants to treat diseases; instead, this is about real-time access to thoughts, impulses, and decision-making. That takes “invasion of privacy” to a whole new level. 

The Dark Ages

Then there’s another fear - what if our adversaries succeed in taking out our digital infrastructure in a way that throws us all into a completely chaotic, unconnected state? The mechanisms that we previously used to communicate and collaborate - landline phones, postal service, telegram, navigation skills, etc. - have all been dismantled. Many people can’t even function without a smartphone. They lost so many skills that would be essential to survival in an unprecedented state of disconnected mayhem. We are dependent on technology in a way that presents a real vulnerability in terms of being resilient in the face of crisis. 

Entering a New Era of Technological Threats

While the aforementioned isn’t an exhaustive list, it’s a “Top 5” of new and emerging technologies that truly concern me. I love technology - it’s completely empowered my ability to still be alive, and it’s a huge part of my career journey. Technology enables many positive things in my life - from early cancer detection to keeping up with military friends stationed all over the globe, but it’s not without its associated threats and vulnerabilities. It’s up to us humans to determine how we utilize technology in our lives, and to what extent we let it infiltrate our society. Given the endlessly encroaching potential of our connected world, it’s best that we don’t necessarily leave such decisions up to consumers demanding convenience and private companies chasing market dominance. Informed, responsible leaders must step up to ensure ethical applications of emerging technology, along with effective prevention of advanced cyber capabilities falling into the wrong hands. 

What Does Our Connected Future Hold?

Technology is predicted to continue invading many functions and spaces in our world. According to Pew Research, the most harmful changes to life as a result of technology by 2035 include:

• Human Rights Implications - Experts warn that advances in surveillance, facial recognition, and disinformation technologies could severely undermine privacy and personal agency. As AI-driven systems become more embedded in daily life, risks could intensify, threatening many aspects of human dignity and security.

• Loss of Cognitive Abilities - The growing flood of mis/disinformation and digital distractions may erode critical thinking and public understanding. Experts fear a future where truth is harder to discern and cognitive decline is fueled by overreliance on technology. I discussed my own concerns with this observed phenomenon in Is Technology Diminishing Our Cognitive Abilities?

• Decline in Health and Wellness - Increased screen time and digital immersion are already linked to anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Experts caution that reliance on virtual interactions and tech-enabled experiences could further harm both mental and physical health. Bottom line: Screentime isn’t good for your health! 

• Loss of Trust in Society, Organizations, and Each Other - Rapid technological change may outpace regulation, fueling public distrust in institutions and in one another. Concerns about autonomous weapons, cyberwarfare, and runaway digital systems could deepen polarization and disengagement from civic life. Additionally, weaponized information has already wreaked havoc on our communities at all levels. 

We can’t pull the plug on technological development; however, we should all be aware of what’s coming down the figurative pipeline that has the potential to hurt us. As Dr. Dan Ragsdale so poignantly described on my Tipping Spears Podcast, technology is a tool that can be used to help or harm. We humans are stewards of the world in which technology exists and impact. We cannot let our own fears and worries about the exponential capabilities of cyber prevent us from engaging ethically and responsibly in shaping our future. 

For more information on ethical technological development, check out Tipping Spears Episode 12 - Bishop Garrison: AI, Modern Warfare, and National Security for a fascinating discussion!