Dear Editor,
Some folks have reached out to ask what I think of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s call to arms to supporters of the PPP to utilize social media and artificial intelligence (AI) to deal with “naysayers” and detractors”. I understood this call because it is commonsense. For both cyberspace and AI are formidable assets that are available for use by all Guyanese. Being a PPP or PNC participant should not be a bar, restrain in any way, other than for the civil and the crime- free. Pursuant to the freest commerce in ideas and positions, for some semblance of national conversations, both of what I shall safely call the two channels, platforms, resources, and tools could and should be used to the hilt to agree or disagree acceptably. Perhaps, in introducing and being for these elements of social media and AI communications I come across as an innocent, naïve, or a hick from the sticks. Still, it is a risk that I take, notwithstanding that it came from a remarkable citizen like Bharrat Jagdeo. This is putting the most positive outlook on his charge to his party supporters, from extremists to fanatics to fundamentalists of different degrees of vehemence and vengefulness, on the one side, and the more ethical and honest and profound on the other. It’s not the first time.
But I am realistic, for this is Guyana with its politics and accompanying prejudices and profanities. In total, it is the chronic paranoia, uncontrollable idiocy, and foaming insanity that grabs hold of political and racial (but I repeat myself) supporters and sends them into shaking, ominous frenzies. The latter can be white-eyed and white-hot, and whitewashed also (to be addressed momentarily). In fairness to VP Jagdeo, he insisted that his responders resist engaging in “nastiness.” Mr. Jagdeo is smart, one known to protect all six stumps in his wicket. He must be given credit for getting that call to refrain from “nastiness” on the public record. Notwithstanding his caution, this is where the formidable assets of social media and AI can be used to unleash the sinister, depraved, and fearsome from the unhearing and uncaring in the PPP camp. In saying so, I also assert something else. Like the PPP, the PNC also has its revilers, dirty tricksters, cyber abusers. One is not better than the other; more corralled, watched, and subdued, perhaps. But still undeniably present too. The bottom line is that when left unchecked, the formidable and incomparable assets of social media and AI can mutate into the fearsome and the unimaginable. My reaction to all this is simplicity itself: Que sera, sera! This is regardless of the objective, power, and sweep of social media and AI, and in whose hands they reside.
Now, I ask fellow citizens, especially observers, thinkers, and commentators to look at what we have and where we are. We have access to cyberspace and wholesome social media, including the deep and the dark. The former is outstanding. We also have cybercrime laws, a cybercrime unit in the Guyana Police Force, as well as some watchdog group that stands guard over outer space communications. Now, here is the puzzle and challenge. How have slandered and criminalized Guyanese (by other Guyanese) been comforted, considering the quality of their experiences relative to protection from those three planks in Guyana? I ask again for emphasis: what is it that smeared and sullied Guyanese been rewarded with in their pursuit of justice, particularly when the vilifiers and cyber criminals are from the bowels and bosom of the PPP? Mr. Jagdeo protected himself with the craftiness of no “nastiness”. It’s on paper, then there has been gruesome reality. I respectfully invite the Hon Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, Top Cop Clifton Hicken and Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum to weigh in with a word or two.
To this point, I have addressed only social media in general terms. Yet, the record of “nastiness” and ugliness has been one dirty revelation following another of how this country defrocks itself, exhibits itself, enjoys itself, and doesn’t give a damn. Leadership speeches or not. When I first read of the restraining order of no nastiness”, I chuckled. I wondered if this was some new form of exhibitionism not encountered anywhere else. But the big one is still untouched, and it is gargantuan. It is artificial intelligence (AI), and in the hands of the irresponsible and criminally-minded, it can be dangerous. Unlike social media, it is not limited to what can be fabricated and dumped on the unsuspecting and untarnished. AI is what someone can be made to say, where they can be transplanted, and how they are made to look. Bigoted. Malevolent. Unscrupulous. That’s just a start. I saw some time ago that there will be laws, checks and balances, and policing. To protect who from whom, may I ask? With what implementation and enforcement, I persist, if it is not a crime to do so?
Guyanese contrarians, dissenters, and undesirables now stare at torpedoes. Marching orders could always be misinterpreted and misused to mangle traitorous deviationists. An arctic blast now envelops conscientious and disagreeable Guyanese.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
