Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

In Chapter 6, Harari delves into the ongoing information revolution, highlighting the pivotal role of computers as the foundation of this transformation. Computers, having evolved since the 1940s, have reshaped nearly every aspect of life, and other technological advances like the internet, AI, and algorithms are extensions of this initial revolution. 

At the heart of this change is the ability of computers to make decisions and generate new ideas autonomously—a significant departure from traditional technologies like clay tablets, printing presses, or radios, which merely stored or disseminated human-created information. Now, “for the first time in human history, power is shifting away from humans and toward something else” (194).

One of the most significant shifts introduced by computers is their potential to exert power independent of human intervention. For the first time in history, machines can not only store and process information but also influence decisions and shape societal events. An example of this is the use of social media algorithms to fuel violence, as seen in Myanmar in 2016-2017, where Facebook’s algorithms played a crucial role in spreading hate speech against the Rohingya people that contributed to ethnic cleansing. These algorithms, which prioritize user engagement, “proactively amplified and promoted” (196) inflammatory content because outrage garners more attention than moderation or compassion.