Friction and not being touched

Jürgen Geuter (tante) casts the idea of “friction” in a new light as it relates to AI:

“AI” systems are not framed as specific tools that solve specific problems in specific ways but just as solution in itself: There is nothing “AI” cannot do…The Everything Machine can do – as the name implies – everything.

If “AI” solves everything…you never have to acknowledge anyone else ever again.

AI promises:

A frictionless relationship with … yourself

Also: I kinda love this observation on how when people talk about “frictionless” experiences in tech, the motivation for that removal of friction often boils down to: it’s easy for you and profitable for us.

In tech circles friction is seen as bad, everything needs to be frictionless. Every interaction with anything needs to be smooth and uninterrupted. Which usually means the path to you parting with your money/attention needs to be as seamless as possible. It’s the logic of casinos: Don’t let gamblers see natural light or a clock so nothing disturbs the efficient process of moving money from a bunch of people to the casino owner.

What needs to be frictionless is the transfer of your money to our pocket.