Beware the power of prediction | Carissa Véliz

Predictions regarding human behavior often function as instruments of power rather than objective knowledge. By framing future outcomes as inevitable, tech executives and algorithmic systems exert influence, creating self-fulfilling prophecies that manipulate public perception and individual choices. Unlike predictions about physical phenomena, social forecasts—such as those impacting insurance premiums or loan eligibility—actively reshape reality and often mask underlying injustices. Because these assertions are unfalsifiable and lack transparent criteria, they evade accountability, effectively silencing dissent. Defying these deterministic narratives requires recognizing that the future remains unwritten and inherently uncertain. Rather than passively accepting algorithmic projections, individuals must exercise agency, challenge the authority of these "prophets," and demand accountability to prevent the erosion of democratic values and personal autonomy.