The "Dark Arts" Of Artificial Intelligence (Or Can Machines Really Think?)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as both a boon and a threat. It uses our personal data to influence our lives without us realising it. It is used by social media to draw our attention to things we are interested in buying, and by our tablets and computers to predict what we want to type (good). It facilitates targeting of voters to influence elections (bad, particularly if your side loses). Perhaps the truth or otherwise of allegations such as electoral interference should be regarded in the light of the interests of their promoters.