Tech: A few thoughts on the current state of AI

The essential caveat

At this point in time, and at least in my filter bubble, there has been a lot of discussion about ChatGPT, GPT-3.5, the advancements in AI and of course the implications on humanity.

It takes a while for a person to build their own opinion and I can't say that I have fully made up my mind either. It feels like it would not be wise to take a definite stand as I simply can't know everything there is to know about AI.

The meta perspective

AI technology is not something new and nor are chatbots. Back in the days of MSN messenger for example, there were rudimentary chatbots such as SmarterChild. 

However, ChatGPT and the like offers a richer experience, the simplest of chatbots can be a "if then clause" while ChatGPT can create solid content. 

Even if technology is new, useful and cool, such as AR glasses or VR headsets they don't necessarily get adopted by everyone. There is for example a price threshold keeping people out of the VR market. Sometimes the product is impressive but simply not useful.

The mainstream use of horses was replaced with cars and trains one might say and we never went back to the older generation of technology so to speak. In the same manner I believe that these advanced chatbots will replace certain segments of the world and reinforce others.

So from a meta perspective, we might see a wider adoption rate as long as the products are free, useful and easy to use. To at least some this will be a tool to have in the toolbox and a skill to become better at.

In order to not fall behind in the rapid development of tech we need to at least use the tech as regular people, not necessarily do the programming ourselves. Ask yourself in what area of your life you can use this as a tool.

AI generated text and images

There has been AI generated images circulating the internet before and now it has reached the mainstream (again). People are rushing to explore the technology and some even try to cut out a business using this technology.

It is impressive how good some results are but it also stands clear that we still can spot the difference between what is computer generated and not. 

In regards to the role in academics we might see a conflict between the old ways and the new ways, yet new technology won't just disappear because the old ways wills it. Some might struggle a bit and focus more on detecting the use of AI while others will embrace it and make it a part of learning.

There is great the debate about how the future will look like, will AI take over? We do not know, but we see more and more how we integrate the technology into our lives and society. Not learning the basics of complementary AI is to isolate yourself from what is to come and truly make yourself vulnerable.

Those that take part and try things out will be more comfortable with the technology and will have an easier time telling the difference between the bad and the good tech.

The future

Let's say your are using this technology, perhaps just asking the chatbot to solve programming challenges or enhance your browsing experience. You are outsourcing a part of your mental activity, just like we've outsourced calculations, navigation, memories and other things that once were a natural part of our day to day lives. Don't forget that we've outsourced cleaning and washing with the helps of machines before the advanced chatbot era. Will we end up with more sparetime? What will be the next thing that we outsource? What will become of us?

We can also ponder the technological development - what happens when computers become even more efficient - such as the quantum computer, or if we attach the AI to robotic bodies that can do more than just write words and create images? What role will these things have in our ambition to move into space on a greater scale?