The Allure of AI: Embracing the Imperfect Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is far from perfect. It shamelessly borrows from the work of others, spitting out a mishmash of content without giving credit, leading to widespread frustration and legal battles. When tasked with generating images, it tends to depict CEOs as white, dress people in stereotypical ethnic attire, and portray women as ethereal beings with light-colored eyes. The promise of AI achieving human-level intelligence has been touted for decades, despite a history of failed attempts—the epitome of self-delusion.
The Irresistible Pull of AI
Despite its flaws, I find myself irresistibly drawn to AI. I spend hours interacting with and learning from these image-generating, chatting, and code-writing systems. I rely on them to create lists, illustrate ideas, summarize information, and even read for me. At work, we’ve integrated AI into our codebase. I’m fully invested, even if it means embracing a bit of hypocrisy.
Remembering the Essence of Technology
Whenever a new groundbreaking technology emerges, causing widespread excitement and confusion, I remind myself of a simple truth: “It’s just software.” Word processors were once thought to make writing novels too easy, cryptocurrencies were expected to replace traditional money, and now AI, my personal favorite, is the most brazen of them all. It will obediently follow any command, regardless of the expertise required. It can guide you on becoming a nuclear engineer, maintaining a marriage, or even invading a nation. I find myself turning to AI for answers to questions I’m too embarrassed to ask anyone else, such as “What is a hedge fund?” or “How can I persuade my family to let me adopt a puppy?” It helps me grasp the intricacies of my car’s check engine light and has reignited my passion for coding. It generates disposable, meaningless images and aids me in learning music theory and composing simple tunes. It tackles every task with unwavering confidence, even if the results are subpar.
Aspiring to AI’s Unapologetic Confidence
In a way, I aspire to be like AI. I yearn for that level of self-assurance, the ability to be unabashedly confident without a hint of embarrassment. AI’s unwavering belief in itself, despite its shortcomings, is a quality I find both amusing and admirable.
1 Comment
Oh, we’re aiming to mimic potential overlords now? Fascinating choice!