Something that should concern everyone but is barely written about is AI. I've hinted at the serious risks in past posts but people (in general) are barely reacting.
As a child I devoured any scifi that I could get my hands on. Something I wanted was a robot. Something I never wanted was anything resembling human thought or appearance.
The only movie that has ever dealt with it appropriately and presented a robot (TARS) as it should be was in Interstellar. Nolan created a machine that was instantly programmable, carried out orders could be spoken to as a buddy in the loneliness of space, but was not "your buddy". Function was more important than making it look human and when the human crew needed less humor or sarcasm it could immediately be told to be less humorous. Realistically, that's what a robot should be.
When I watched Interstellar the first time, the design was disappointing. Years later when I watched it the second time it made sense: It's an object, an IT. There is nothing to humanize it, it's a highly functional personal computer that cannot feel because it doesn't and should not.
I thought rather than give examples, here is a cartoonist who illustrated his opinion followed by IBM discussing the dangers. At this time it doesn't look like it will improve; coding it to copy the most popular opinions is already laying the groundwork for bad programming.
https://theoatmeal.com/comics/ai_art
https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/10-ai-dangers-and-risks-and-how-to-manage-them
Update: Decided to give some examples. It will hit the fine art sector first. (Drawing and painting). Many end up in graphic design for video games or movies. Architects who design buildings, set design.
Also most science labs employ grad students to do tedious data collecting. There was a company (went viral), that replaced the order taking with AI (someone ordered 99 bottles of water at the drive thru. Quite funny, the AI went into a loop). A prof. went online because students are handing in AI and missing the point that they are taught to think.
Hollywood already went on strike, but screenwriters, authors, voice actors, actors starting out in commercials. Designers, decorators. Translators, editors etc.
All potentially replaceable.
All the cute cat videos I enjoy watching. If it becomes completely life like AI it's no longer cute or funny.
Music. I admire Mozart. But an AI that composes like Mozart? I find that disturbing.
Really liked the first link and just scrolled through the second.
ReplyDeleteI have never used AI and don't plan to. I think it destroys creativity in relation to art and other areas. Though as the first link pointed out it is and can be a useful tool when used as a tool instead of the creation. In all I think AI is going to make us lazier than we already are and dumber.
Codex: Same. The oatmeal can be really vulgar and irreverent, but every panel describes and summarizes what is going on quite well.
DeleteYou are already using it, whether you're aware of it or not. The amount of jobs it can potentially destroy is significant.
Let me rephrase that. I have never purposely asked AI to do anything. I get that AI is returning results when I do a google search for something.
DeleteCodex Various programs that can process a lot of info very quickly. What you read and write for example. Not a problem if that data isn't sold. It's unavoidable. We're all using it.
DeleteI’ve listened to some podcasts, done a bit of reading and my understanding of AI is still very basic. I do worry about it causing job loss and not creating enough economic benefit to replace those lost jobs. (More wealth to the wealthy) Like anything transformative, there will be winners and losers. Then the question becomes how do you make sure you are able to withstand the economic consequences if AI is able to do your job. My kids use AI on a daily basis for both work and personally. For one of them, it has relieved some work load stress, but is that good in the long term if number of employees is reduced? A worry for sure, and no simple answers. Regarding art - Any art I buy is usually because there is a human story behind it. I am slightly hopeful (maybe naively) that humans will continue to appreciate the story of creation behind a sculpture, a painting, a piece of pottery or even hand made earrings;) Art that has been created by a particular person in a particular time and place representing their thoughts at the moment is what I base my hopes on. The value of the human story.
ReplyDeleteMarly
Codex: Well put, Marly. What field are your children in?
DeleteI'm not enthusiastic about anything AI. So many tech people, including those who work for my employer, are trying to get us to adopt AI and use it in our workflow. No thanks! I can do my job myself!
ReplyDeleteCodex: a lot of tech people are concerned. I'm not sure who you are referring to. Human decision making is still needed.
DeleteCodex: to all. Updated with examples.
ReplyDeleteFascinating.
ReplyDeleteOatmeal's statement, "standing there pretending" resonates. Think of history's polymaths; if we remember to give credit where credit is due, their accomplishments will always be superior to some AI polymath "standing there pretending."
Codex: Polymaths is exactly who I was thinking about. The human kind. An AI equivalent is frightening. Pandora's box.
Delete