Google as God? Opportunities and Risks of the Information Age

TL;DR

This paper explores the implications of the Information Age enabling human-created omniscience, examining both opportunities for societal advancement and risks of surveillance and loss of privacy.

Contribution

It analyzes the societal and ethical implications of creating God-like omniscience through modern information technologies.

Findings

Potential for enhanced social cooperation

Risks of privacy invasion and surveillance

Ethical challenges of omniscient systems

Abstract

If God did not exist - people would invent one. The development of human civilization requires mechanisms promoting cooperation and social order. One of these mechanisms is based on the idea that everything we do is seen and judged by God - bad deeds will be punished, while good ones will be rewarded. The Information Age has now fueled the dream that God-like omniscience and omnipotence can be created by man.