Artificial intelligence exists in a very interesting place in our society. Much like nuclear power, it has the power to either revolutionize society or destroy it. Considering this, the discussion regarding AI (much like politics) is especially fierce.
Generally, I see both good and bad in the technology. I use ChatGPT a bit and would generally say that it is a very useful tool. While in a calculus class, I would often ask ChatGPT how certain calculations work (since it took about a day for my instructor to get back to my questions). I also use ChatGPT much like a coder uses a rubber duck, in that I explain what I’m trying to write and can often course correct myself just by laying it all out; occasionally, ChatGPT will throw some neat advice back at me for whatever it is I’m doing.
On that note, I should also note that there are quite a few negatives as well. Water usage and pollution in general is horrible. The internet is getting consumed by AI “slop” in all mediums. Perhaps worst of all, people’s data is taken without compensation and is used to make large corporations wealthy.
I know that AI has its ups and downs but I think that completely taking a hard-lined stance against it is a bit over the top. I would rather some areas of human creativity (images, video, writing) stay with humans and allow the AI to serve as a tool rather than a worker. I would also like for its unintended impacts to be lessened (especially in regards to water). Unfortunately, it appears that, like most things in life, society has decided that you must either condemn the technology (it appears most people are in this camp) or fully embrace the technology. If I remember correctly, a famous scientist got booed from a graduation speech due to his position remark on AI.
I’ve talked with friends who also see the good and bad in the technology, so I hope me and my friends are not alone in this argument. What is your stance on the technology?