The Planetary Computer

[Sol]

I'm putting this here, in the off topic area, because there are too many places where I could put a topic like this one.

This morning, I had a beautiful wallpaper from the Pacific Islands on my laptop, this one actually:





but there was also a little suggestion window that said that the Planetary Computer could help with disasters and help heal the environment.

Did I read that right?!?!?

I clicked on the linkie thingie and it sent me to this page here:


https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features...OCID=lock2


I learn that Microsoft is launching a new analytics platform that will collect the data reported by both scientists and earth observing satellites.

Up to here, I'm like dayum...

I keep on reading and it then says that this new platform will be built on the Microsoft Planetary Computer where the data will be analysed, worldwide and that the Computer a;ready uses AI and is already processing, analysing, accessing data from multiple sources.

Err...say what?

I click on the link for the Microsoft Planetary Computer and get to this website:


https://planetarycomputer.microsoft.com/

A Planetary Computer for a Sustainable Future

The aim: to build a global environmental network.


OK. I like the sound of that, seems like it could be a good idea.


BUT


My brain says nice, my gut says WTF... Data is data. Global is global. Two sides of a coin, always. Get where I'm going with this?


One Super Planetary Computer. There are no ends to collecting data. I'm not thinking Skynet here but control just the same.


If they can influence scientists and governments on environmental issues, with the help of AI, what keeps these same scientists and governments of using the data to influence how we live, how we go on our day to day ethics?

What keeps them within limited boundaries?

What keeps them from taking decisions, based on accumulated data from around the world, that makes our lives a living hell?


Curious mind wants to know.


What do you think of that?!?!?


Sol.