One of the most impactful documentaries of 2020, “The Social Dilemma” raises important questions about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in social media platforms. While the documentary was revelatory and even disturbing for some viewers, it didn’t offer a full picture of the current digital landscape.

Like many constantly evolving forms of technology, AI is prone to misconceptions thanks in part to inaccurate portrayal in books and movies like “The Social Dilemma.” As Deadline describes the plot, an actor plays a human embodiment of an AI algorithm. He keeps his prey, a high schooler, hooked on social media with a dopamine drip of “Likes,” notifications, friend suggestions, etc.

As an owner-operated managed IT solutions business with 20 years in the industry, we’ve seen technology be a force for bad and good things. But our rapidly evolving technology is merely a tool. It’s up to us what we make of it.

As an example, social media can be used for good, from nonprofits using profiles for fundraising to small businesses leveraging the power of word-of-mouth referrals. Social media platforms merely connect people and their ideas faster.

“AI is growing at an exponential pace. The new algorithms and the new way that people are aggregating different types of data, it can be used for both good and bad. I think we need to educate both children and adults on all the ramifications,” Kaladhar Voruganti of Equinix noted at a recent CompTIA AI Advisory Council discussion.

The discussion about AI use and ethics is ongoing will continue into the future, and rightly so.