I think about this often—it reminds me of Wittgenstein’s view that meaning isn’t just in words themselves, but in how we use them. This article captures that tension beautifully. Really enjoyed reading it.
Great article! I appreciate the intellectual honesty of what AI is truly doing.
AI is incredible technology, though we often give it more credit than it deserves in terms of true creativity or that it has any type of its own mind. We can just enjoy the output but be less worried that it will take over the world or replace artists. The reality is that the artists and writers of the future will likely use AI as a tool and as long as we think of it that way, the same way we use word processors and Google, then AI becomes far less threatening.
Like all new technology the potential and future is a bit overblown. When the dust settles we'll figure out how we really use AI effectively and better yet, we'll be a lot less threatened by it.
For me AI is a mirror. To question AI invites comparison. To compare is to look deeply into the mirror and ask not just what AI is but what I am. Look deeply enough and what I've found is that the answer can be unsettling
Absolutely! And it's a mirror for society, too. Everything AI produces is ultimately based on (some would say: stolen from) earlier publications. No wonder it behaves like us.
I think the nightmare is AI creating for itself—or other AI systems—not for living beings. I’m sure some system could generate dog barking noises that could agitate my dog, but it takes the dog to comprehend or appreciate the noise.
That's certainly one of the (many) AI nightmare scenarios. Although the dog analogy teaches us that communicating systems are not necessarily scary: dogs bark at each other all the time, without taking over the world (yet).
You have to ensure that these thoughts are preserved for posterity.
To quote from one of your own posts, you stated quite humorously that you envisaged a future where babies would get an AI implant, and that would be the end of schools and colleges!
The unhinged AI visions are perhaps what the future shall unfurl! 😎
Seriously though, the implant idea seems quite plausible.
I had once read a science fiction, a long time ago; it had envisaged just this scenario: the chap merges his DNA with the machine and thus lives on forever!
I must say, this is the most thought-provoking and beautifully written piece on the topic that I have read in a long time. You make some excellent points and ask some important questions. My hope is that AI expands creativity, but not replace it. If perfection becomes effortless, then imperfection should remain top priority, with its human attributes. I find AI helpful when I want to brainstorm, but I have to work out the full details and the characters for myself, because otherwise, I feel like I'm lying to myself, not just my readers. The joy of creativity is in the action of creating, weaving together pieces of thoughts and emotions, making something from thin air with your own brain and heart. Nothing can replace that, in my view.
It's funny how we all have our own ways of using AI to our advantage. I actually like to do the brainstorming myself, and then see if the AI can work out the details for me. And yes, that does feel like cheating sometimes!
It sure is exciting to predict how AI will impact creativity in the future. I don't know if imperfections will play as big a role as people think. For now, the combination of perfect spelling and bland, impersonal prose is a clear sign of AI origin. But what if AI starts to replicate our imperfections? This may happen very soon.
I think about this often—it reminds me of Wittgenstein’s view that meaning isn’t just in words themselves, but in how we use them. This article captures that tension beautifully. Really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you! If Wittgenstein were alive today, he would not be an AI optimist. He would be in the "AI slop" camp.
Great article! I appreciate the intellectual honesty of what AI is truly doing.
AI is incredible technology, though we often give it more credit than it deserves in terms of true creativity or that it has any type of its own mind. We can just enjoy the output but be less worried that it will take over the world or replace artists. The reality is that the artists and writers of the future will likely use AI as a tool and as long as we think of it that way, the same way we use word processors and Google, then AI becomes far less threatening.
Like all new technology the potential and future is a bit overblown. When the dust settles we'll figure out how we really use AI effectively and better yet, we'll be a lot less threatened by it.
Thanks
Thank you, Bruce! I had a feeling you, as an AI Luddite, would appreciate a somewhat more realistic take.
For me AI is a mirror. To question AI invites comparison. To compare is to look deeply into the mirror and ask not just what AI is but what I am. Look deeply enough and what I've found is that the answer can be unsettling
Absolutely! And it's a mirror for society, too. Everything AI produces is ultimately based on (some would say: stolen from) earlier publications. No wonder it behaves like us.
Thanks for the shout out! I'm glad you found the coach useful. Time for me to think about sharing more broadly.
But more importantly, it is great, thought provoking article.
My pleasure! Maybe you should be sharing more broadly... there must be an audience for the coach.
The Viral Content Coach is now available publicly! I'll have an article out tomorrow with more information. https://payhip.com/b/qkRf3
What will happen to this place when everyone starts going viral at the same time? 🤯
I'm going to need more time for reading!
🥳
I think the nightmare is AI creating for itself—or other AI systems—not for living beings. I’m sure some system could generate dog barking noises that could agitate my dog, but it takes the dog to comprehend or appreciate the noise.
That's certainly one of the (many) AI nightmare scenarios. Although the dog analogy teaches us that communicating systems are not necessarily scary: dogs bark at each other all the time, without taking over the world (yet).
Good point. That sort of outweighs the whole plagiarism vs. expired copyright discussion.
In my expert opinion, it's probably OpenAI's strongest legal argument.
You have to ensure that these thoughts are preserved for posterity.
To quote from one of your own posts, you stated quite humorously that you envisaged a future where babies would get an AI implant, and that would be the end of schools and colleges!
Frankly, that possibility could become a reality.
If you keep encouraging me like that, I may have to write a book on my unhinged AI visions some day 😄
I had forgotten all about the implant idea! Maybe my own brain implant is malfunctioning...
Please keep being unhinged!
My brother-in-law, a critical care specialist in Australia, thinks your AI brain implant idea may well be plausible in the future! 😁
Forget the book, I'm gonna apply for a patent! 🤑
🤪 We are going to be rich!
The unhinged AI visions are perhaps what the future shall unfurl! 😎
Seriously though, the implant idea seems quite plausible.
I had once read a science fiction, a long time ago; it had envisaged just this scenario: the chap merges his DNA with the machine and thus lives on forever!
😏
I must say, this is the most thought-provoking and beautifully written piece on the topic that I have read in a long time. You make some excellent points and ask some important questions. My hope is that AI expands creativity, but not replace it. If perfection becomes effortless, then imperfection should remain top priority, with its human attributes. I find AI helpful when I want to brainstorm, but I have to work out the full details and the characters for myself, because otherwise, I feel like I'm lying to myself, not just my readers. The joy of creativity is in the action of creating, weaving together pieces of thoughts and emotions, making something from thin air with your own brain and heart. Nothing can replace that, in my view.
Thank you, Tali!
It's funny how we all have our own ways of using AI to our advantage. I actually like to do the brainstorming myself, and then see if the AI can work out the details for me. And yes, that does feel like cheating sometimes!
It sure is exciting to predict how AI will impact creativity in the future. I don't know if imperfections will play as big a role as people think. For now, the combination of perfect spelling and bland, impersonal prose is a clear sign of AI origin. But what if AI starts to replicate our imperfections? This may happen very soon.