The Illusion of Knowledge in the Age of Technology
BENZEKRI Amina
We live in an era where knowledge appears to be just a click away. With a quick search, we can find answers to nearly any question. We have access to podcasts, articles, videos, and AI tools—seemingly unlimited information at our fingertips. And yet, paradoxically, this unprecedented access can lead not to enlightenment, but to the illusion of knowledge.
This illusion arises when we mistake information for understanding. Reading a few headlines or watching a short video can give us a sense that we've 'learned' something, but true knowledge is more than familiarity. It demands critical thinking, context, and time. Just as holding a recipe book doesn't make one a chef, browsing through facts doesn't make one wise.
Technology amplifies this illusion. Algorithms are designed to keep us engaged, often by confirming what we already believe. We fall into echo chambers, consuming content that flatters our perspective rather than challenges it. As a result, we may become more confident in our opinions—while becoming less informed in any meaningful way.
The danger is not in technology itself, but in our relationship with it. The ancient philosopher Socrates warned of this very problem in a different form, cautioning against the appearance of wisdom without the substance. In the digital age, his insight is more relevant than ever.
To combat the illusion of knowledge, we must embrace intellectual humility. We must be willing to say, 'I don't know,' and to pursue depth over speed. Real learning is often uncomfortable—it requires effort, doubt, and the willingness to be wrong.
Technology should be a bridge to wisdom, not a shortcut past it. The challenge of our time is not finding information—it is learning how to understand, question, and integrate it. Only then can we move beyond illusion, and toward true knowledge.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
36 minutes ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's customs authority launches AI-driven risk analysis project
The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) recently announced the launch of a project, in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), aimed at integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into customs risk analysis and management processes. Aligned with ADII's strategic plan through 2028, this initiative focuses on targeting and predictive analysis as part of an advanced digitalization effort to enhance customs control efficiency and facilitate lawful trade, according to an official statement. At the project's launch ceremony, presided over by ADII Director General Abdellatif Amrani, participants discussed key strategic issues related to the use of big data, AI, and machine learning in customs risk management. They also reviewed ongoing digital transformation projects led by ADII and explored how these efforts will be consolidated within the new initiative. In this context, a first technical mission led by international experts accredited by the WCO took place at ADII headquarters from May 19 to 23. This mission assessed current progress in automated data processing and risk targeting, laying the groundwork for a structured action plan to guide the project's next phases. The ADII welcomed this trilateral cooperation, viewing it as recognition of its commitment to building an intelligent, proactive, and forward-looking customs system, the statement emphasized. The launch event was notably attended by the Swiss Ambassador to Morocco, Valentin Zellweger, along with senior officials from the WCO and ADII.
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
Bouayach Calls for AI Systems That Protect Human Rights, Advance Humanity
Doha – In a high-level address delivered remotely from Rabat on Tuesday, Amina Bouayach urged for artificial intelligence systems designed to safeguard human dignity and advance both humanity and rights. The president of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and head of Morocco's National Human Rights Council (CNDH) participated in the opening session of the international conference in Doha, putting focus on the critical intersection of technological advancement and human rights protection. The two-day event, titled 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks, and Visions for a Better Future,' is organized by Qatar's National Human Rights Committee in collaboration with several international, regional, and local institutions. The conference seeks to explore AI's dual nature as both a catalyst for progress and a potential challenge to human rights and democratic principles through collective discussions and specialized working groups. 'International human rights law, which I believe is one of our most important shared achievements, is not an obstacle to innovation,' Bouayach asserted from Rabat. 'It is a global framework that can ensure access and benefit for all.' She articulated that this framework, developed and refined through global consensus, serves not as a barrier but as a foundation for equitable technological advancement. Technology reshapes our world She contended that digital technologies, advanced systems, and artificial intelligence are fundamentally reshaping our world and deeply affecting daily life management. 'The digital space, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence systems are reshaping our world and deeply impacting our lives and daily management,' Bouayach remarked. 'It is a field that sparks discussions, initiatives, and concerns, confirming that today's innovation is the fuel for smart services with quality and effectiveness.' 'Hardly a day goes by without a discovery here and a remarkable innovation there,' Bouayach observed. 'This makes us deeply reflect and question what is possible today.' This rapid pace of development, she suggested, requires thoughtful consideration of its implications for society and human rights. The GANHRI president warned about the growing disparities between countries in terms of technological access and benefits. 'The opportunities are vast, but so are the disparities,' she cautioned. 'Between countries whose citizens benefit or may benefit in the near future from the momentum of this progress, and others still finding their way, while some remain, to this day, left behind this procession.' Bouayach insisted that innovation is no longer optional in today's world. 'Innovation is no longer a choice today, but a need and an urgent necessity, and so are rights and freedoms,' she declared. 'Respecting them is not optional… they are fundamental and non-negotiable.' This dual imperative, she argued, requires balancing technological advancement with unwavering commitment to human rights principles. For Bouayach, safely and collectively harnessing the benefits of AI and advanced technologies requires shared international governance. 'The collective, sound, and safe harvesting of the fruits of artificial intelligence systems and advanced technologies requires shared international governance, based on the effectiveness of respecting and enshrining rights,' she stated. Rights institutions take action She clarified that national human rights institutions do more than provide opinions and advice to governments and stakeholders regarding artificial intelligence uses and related policies. 'We also monitor its impact and implications on the effectiveness of rights,' Bouayach explained. 'We receive and address complaints related to potential infringements of rights and freedoms by its systems… and we advocate for guarantees and fairness.' Bouayach beckoned stakeholders to thoroughly examine AI's effects on human rights across multiple dimensions. 'We renew our call to actors in the field to highlight the impact of digital space and artificial intelligence systems on human rights, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence, privacy violations, discrimination, hate speech, incitement to violence, and barriers to equal access to rights,' she urged. The CNDH president referenced a recent International Labour Organization report that revealed concerning gender disparities in AI's impact. 'A few days ago, the International Labour Organization released a report revealing that artificial intelligence threatens women's jobs more than men's,' Bouayach pointed out. She explained that biases are sometimes inherently built into the systems, either through their designers or those training them. 'Vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, are often targeted,' Bouayach maintained, pointing to deepfake pornography as a particularly troubling example that would be discussed during the conference. She further warned that 'systems and algorithms can be a threat to freedom of expression, the absolute right to opinion, privacy, and the right to peaceful assembly,' adding that 'algorithms can make disinformation easier, faster and more effective, threatening access to information, electoral choices, and democratic processes.' 'These concerns are not theoretical,' Bouayach reinforced. 'They are the lived reality for many of the most vulnerable among us.' This reality, she suggested, demands urgent attention and coordinated action from human rights defenders worldwide. The Moroccan delegation to the conference includes former minister and human rights activist Mohamed Aujjar, who chaired a session on 'Deploying AI for Human Rights.' Abdelghani Berdi, head of the Technologies, Digital Space and Human Rights Department and Acting Communications Director at CNDH, also participated in the event. The conference aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue through collective discussions and working groups over its two-day duration, bringing together experts and stakeholders to address the complex challenges at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human rights protection. Read also: Professor Anasse Bari: Morocco Should Create a University and Ministry for AI
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan students win global innovation Grand Prize at Huawei ICT competition in China
A team of Moroccan students won the Grand Prize in the Innovation category at the Huawei ICT Competition 2024–2025 during the global finals held in Shenzhen, China, from May 19 to 25. Announced by Huawei Morocco in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, this achievement marks a historic first for Morocco in this prestigious competition, which annually brings together top global talents in information and communication technology (ICT). According to an official statement, the Moroccan team consisted of Ayman Amokrane, Maryeme Hassani, and Ibrahim Lamrabet, all students at the Faculty of Science and Technology in Errachidia, under Moulay Ismaïl University. Guided by Professor Yousef Farhaoui, the team developed NovaOr, a digital solution for intelligent hospital management. «Thanks to its decision support system, NovaOr reduces processing times, alleviates congestion in healthcare services, and streamlines resource allocation, thereby enhancing coordination and optimizing the patient experience», the statement explained. The journey of the laureates—from registration in September 2024 through national and regional selection stages—was highly praised by the international jury and experts. For Huawei Morocco and the ministry, this success underscores «the academic excellence of Moroccan universities» and reflects Huawei's commitment to «integrate digital technology into university curricula and stimulate innovation among young talents, in line with technological transformation and digital sovereignty». Both parties emphasized that this recognition, «achieved against teams from the world's leading universities, not only demonstrates the high level of preparation of Moroccan students but also their capacity to propose innovative solutions with significant added value».
