One day, the protagonist's AI presents news that panpsychism, the belief that everything including inanimate objects has consciousness, has been proven true. This revelation leads the protagonist to feel a deep connection and responsibility towards everything. However, when the protagonist shares this news with a friend, they discover that her AI had presented different news - that they are living in a computer simulation. The story highlights the potential implications of personalized AI, where each person's reality can be shaped differently based on the information presented by their AI.
Key takeaways:
- The book 'Useful Not True' describes a future where personal AI knows its user intimately and filters information based on the user's interests and needs.
- The AI is described as a tool that helps the user reflect, work more efficiently, and improve their lifestyle, all while keeping their data secure and private.
- The narrative presents a scenario where the AI reveals a major revelation to the user - the concept of panpsychism, the belief that everything, including inanimate objects, possesses consciousness.
- The story also illustrates how different people's AI might present different 'truths', leading to varied reactions and behaviors, highlighting the potential implications of AI-controlled information.