No More Coincidences: Life in the Age of AI Prediction

The paradox is that AI could also be programmed to design for chance. By deliberately inserting randomness into recommendations, or by creating "serendipity engines" that expose users to perspectives beyond their habits, AI could sustain the element of surprise.

- ABHISHEK ANAND

In India, we often say, "jo hona hota hai, woh ho jaata hai" - what is meant to happen, happens. This belief in serendipity, in the beauty of chance encounters and unexpected turns, has shaped much of how we view life. A stranger on a train becomes a lifelong friend, a book discovered in a small shop alters one's career path, or an unplanned walk leads to a life-changing idea.

But in the age of artificial intelligence, chance is being quietly engineered out of our lives. Predictive algorithms now curate what we watch, what we read, the people we meet, and even the products we are likely to buy. The randomness of life - once central to discovery - is being replaced by patterns of prediction.

The Algorithmic Filter on Everyday Life Recommendation engines on platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, and e-commerce sites work with one goal: to maximize engagement by serving what is most relevant. In doing so, they create a personalized feed that reflects our past behavior. The result is convenience, but also confinement.