The Internet will go down and we are not ready

I remember a time when it was normal to live without the Internet. Now almost everything is connected. This allows us to turn on the heating before returning home, or set the alarm while we watch the security cameras from our relaxation nook. There are already refrigerators that practically do the shopping. Connecting devices online is so attractive and, above all, so profitable that companies compete fiercely to see who can offer the most original and convenient service to those willing to pay for it.

Few people talk about how this makes us more dependent. The Internet will disappear. It is the matter of time.

Forbes Spain places Esther Paniagua in the top 100 most creative people in business and in the top 100 leading women in Spain. She published a book that we should all talk about called Error 404 Are you ready for a world without the Internet?

What happens when the network goes down? When will this happen? Will we be able to live relatively normally when this happens? I had long wanted to ask all these questions to my interlocutor, until finally, in her hectic daily life, she found the time to answer me.

Ask.- Gaining attention has become increasingly challenging due to media saturation. I understand that it is very important to start with something that makes an impact or at least gets attention. How much of an exaggeration is it to say that the Internet will crash and we will experience a wave of panic?

Reply.- This prediction is based on what scientist Daniel Dennett said in an interview several years ago, and it inspired my research for my book. A massive internet shutdown could bring us closer to the chaos we’ve already experienced on a smaller scale. For example, on October 4, 2021, Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp went offline and many people panicked, especially the youth. But adults do the same thing because of our addiction to connection.

IN.- I remember when it was strange to have the Internet…

A.- I was the weirdest among my friends. In 1996, when I was 10 years old, my mother moved to the USA, and the most effective way to communicate was the Internet. So they bought me a computer and connected it to the Internet, which was something completely new at the time. No one in my circle had a computer, much less a network connection. From a young age, I was an early adopter of this technology, which allowed me to learn and learn some basic programming concepts on my own.

IN.- Little girl programming? Quite an example.

A.- Yes, the simplest things, mostly games and small applications for entertainment. But it helped me understand how these devices and algorithms of computer programs and artificial intelligence work.

IN.- It is good news that young women are participating in the programs. Is there a clear gender disparity in technology?

A.- That’s right, the numbers are staggering. In artificial intelligence, for example, only one in four employees is female, and this disparity is even more pronounced in leadership positions. While the numbers have increased in some engineering fields, in other fields, such as computer science, we have seen a marked decline. Often women feel that technology is not for them due to the stereotypes they grow up with, especially during adolescence. However, there are many initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting women in this field, such as the Technovation Challenge, which encourages girls to create mobile applications or artificial intelligence projects to solve social problems. It is vital to highlight that while technology is often used for social purposes, it should not be the preserve of just one gender.

IN.- And returning to the ends of the world…

A.- The end of the world as we know it may not be too far off when you consider the risks associated with technology addiction. For example, the collapse of major internet platforms can cause significant chaos, as we have seen in recent cases. But beyond this, the possibility of cyber attacks has increased thanks to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, which make both attacks and defenses easier.

IN.- In this sense, will the bad guys, without respecting any normative framework, always have an advantage over us?

A.- Exactly. In Europe, for example, we have a very guarantee system. If police need to investigate something, they have to ask permission from a judge and obtain data from telecommunications companies, which protects our civil rights and privacy. But these restrictions do not apply to criminals, and this gives them a significant advantage.

IN.- You point out that combining artificial intelligence with quantum computing could have disruptive consequences. Is this getting out of control?

A.- This is a great question. OpenAI’s Sam Altman mentioned that their GPT tool seems to be out of control, which in part seems to be a tactic to reduce their liability if something goes wrong. However, there is some truth to this as the technology was introduced at an early stage and we serve as its global guinea pigs. Combining these technologies with quantum computing, which is still in development, could create significant new challenges. Quantum computing has the potential to break our current encryption systems, which could have serious implications for the security of our personal data. However, on the other hand, artificial intelligence could offer solutions to these problems, at least in theory.

IN.- This leads to the critical question—the title of your book. Are we really ready for an Internet shutdown at the individual, corporate, or even national level?

A.- Unfortunately, the answer is that we are not as prepared as we should be. Although the war in Ukraine has spurred increased investment in cybersecurity, much remains to be done, especially at the government and corporate level. As for individuals, there is a great lack of awareness and education on how to responsibly use these new tools and understand the risks associated with them.

IN.- So the problem is not just technological. Is the goal to stimulate more discussion and education on these issues?

A.- Exactly. Debate, education and preparation are important. We need to not only read and be informed, but also have a deep understanding of how to safely and responsibly interact with technology. Moreover, it is critical that we as a society demand that our governments and corporations better protect our information and digital rights. We need a strong ethical framework to guide the development and deployment of AI, ensuring that human rights are respected and potential harm is minimized.

IN.- Is the decision to abandon these gains or take a step back?

A.- The possibilities are enormous. From improving healthcare through more accurate diagnostics and personalized treatments, to helping combat climate change by optimizing resources and reducing waste. AI can also play a critical role in education by personalizing learning to suit individual student needs and increasing accessibility. To make society better, AI can break down significant barriers. For example, you can help provide personalized services to underserved communities or people with disabilities, improving their access to education and healthcare. It can also be a powerful tool to combat inequality by identifying and correcting biases in processes such as hiring and judicial decisions. Eliminating all these possibilities doesn’t seem like the best way.

IN.- So what message should we give?

A.- It is important to remember that the quality of technology depends on how we use it. As a society, we must actively steer AI development toward outcomes that benefit everyone, not just a few. This requires active participation, public debate and effective regulation. The future of artificial intelligence is bright, but it depends on the choices we make today to ensure its impact is positive and equitable.