Kathmandu— Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has voiced concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) and social media platforms are eroding human cognitive and emotional capabilities, coinciding with what he describes as a global trend of powerful entities exploiting technology, politics, and armed conflict for financial gain. In an interview, Waters applauded Australia’s decision to exclude fully AI-generated music from its charts, while criticizing streaming services for diminishing musician earnings and concentrating wealth within Big Tech companies. He extended his critique to social media’s manipulation of user emotions and the detrimental impact of AI assistants on independent thought, linking these trends to a broader pattern of global power dynamics driven by profit.

AI’s Impact on Creativity and Critical Thinking

Waters expressed concern that the proliferation of AI-generated content poses a threat to genuine artistic expression and audience discernment. He noted that streaming platforms have already significantly impacted musicians’ incomes through low royalty rates, while simultaneously centralizing profits within large technology corporations.

“So that piracy has almost destroyed everything,” Waters said. “But if they are then allowed to use AI to produce fodder for their very tame audience who pays so much a month to get any music that they want from anywhere… Unfortunately, we know that a large number of that audience won’t be able to tell the difference between AI and Pink Floyd, or Neil Young, or Bob Dylan, or The Beatles or anything else.” He argued this blurring of lines diminishes appreciation for authentic artistry.

Social Media and Erosion of Independent Thought

Beyond the music industry, Waters criticized social media platforms for employing addictive algorithms designed to manipulate users’ emotions and political viewpoints. He warned that increasing reliance on AI assistants is actively diminishing people’s capacity for independent thought.

“It reduces the size of your brain and your capacity to think and your capacity to feel,” he stated. “In fact, it reduces everything human about anybody who goes in that direction.” Waters suggested a shift towards factual, unbiased information sources could mitigate these effects but acknowledged the current landscape is dominated by manipulative forces.

Global Politics Driven By Profit

Waters broadened his criticism to international politics, asserting that global affairs are increasingly governed by “gangsterism” and the pursuit of profit. He cited Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied territories, as well as alleged U.S. coercion regarding Venezuela’s oil wealth, as examples.

He also pointed to the failure of the Minsk agreements and the collapse of peace talks in Istanbul in 2022 as evidence that Western governments obstructed a negotiated resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Waters believes this has led to an escalation of hostilities characterized by remote warfare technologies like drones and missiles, where human life is devalued in favor of financial gain. “Just who gets killed, nobody cares anymore,” he said, “because all they’re interested in is making money.”

Waters’ full interview provides a detailed account of his concerns regarding the intersection of technology, politics, and profit, offering a critical perspective on contemporary global issues.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.