Did I write today’s post? Or did a computer do it?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used for some incredible and scary applications all around us. In April alone, 1000 new AI apps were released. Recently a publisher announced they were publishing a children’s book that an author proudly claimed was co-written by an AI platform. I was shocked that the publisher and author would admit such as thing.
As for my work, it’s still being done by me. Nobody writing code out there has the patience or the desire to create an application that will duplicate my nonsense. So, you can rest assured that this is 100% artificial intelligence free. Some of my relatives question whether it’s intelligence-free (artificial or otherwise) but that’s a topic for another day.
AI is not new. Back before the rise of computer technology, we called artificial intelligence Congress. But they weren’t very good at decision-making, so we had to invent computers to do our thinking.
Now, AI can write a paper for you, record music, and even paint pictures. Soon it will be choosing your socks. I let my dog choose my socks. He has a lifetime contract, so he won’t be replaced by a computer anytime soon.
Our oldest son bought a used Tesla and came by to take us on a test drive. It has a self-driving mode. Now, this is the type of AI that frankly scares me. First, what if the artificial intelligence in the car decides it’s lost the will to live and drives into a wall? If I owned a car like that, I would be checking its mood every time I started the engine. Beyond that, what if the car doesn’t like my life choices?
Me: Drive me to Freddy’s.
AI Car: How about a salad?
Me: I want a cheeseburger.
AI Car: Based on how much weight I currently feel in the driver’s seat, you need a salad.
Me: But I want a cheeseburger.
AI Car: (Locks doors, takes over controls) You’re getting a salad.
Me: And then I’m getting a bike.
AI Car: Freddy’s it is. Should I order extra fry sauce?
I have a friend who is a graphic designer. He’s been playing around with AI art applications and doesn’t seem threatened by them. Instead, he’s using them to speed up his work. For fun, he created images of Marci Emerald, a character in Tales From a Roundabout, Vol 2. You can see the result below. If you read the book, let me know if she looks like the character you had in your mind.
That’s about as close to AI as I want to get. For me, I’ll keep writing if you keep reading. Deal? Because if you let AI choose your books (or heaven forbid, read for you), I’ll get replaced by a depressed Tesla that wants to be an author instead of a car.
Carry on, Citizens!
