Weekly Debrief - Nov 3, 2024
The Pros & Cons of AI
I’ve been thinking about AI a lot this week. Since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene, leading the way for a slew of AI-based tools and services, I have been trying to figure out how to use it in my work and deepen my understanding of things. Companies are looking to disrupt all areas of tech with AI tools, and it’s impossible to keep up with the changes.
When it comes to using AI tools like ChatGPT, I find the most value in using them to get me to the rough draft state of an idea. I have yet to have AI generate something so new and profound that my mind is blown. However, if I feed it enough information and a general concept, it can get me past my typical early point of failure. Sometimes, it’s easier to create something if you can get a head start, even if that head start is wrong.
The catalyst for thought this week came about after watching a news report about an AI chatbot site that convinced a boy to take his life. About four months ago, I blocked the same site from my home network because one of my kids found himself exploring the site.
The problem with the race to develop the best AI tools is that little or no attention is being paid to safety measures. I’m pretty sure this is how we end up with a real-life Skynet. Further research about this chatbot site led me to an article from Futurism, where they tested just how far this chatbot site would go before offering help or support to the user (https://futurism.com/suicide-chatbots-character-ai).
As a parent, I feel strongly about protecting my kids from things that can cause them damage. Keeping our kids safe online can be a full-time job. I want my kids to understand how to traverse this landscape safely, knowing they must guard their hearts and minds.
I want to know how you’ve used AI for work or play. If you care to share, use the comment section below this post. I’m also still trying to dial in my voice here in these posts, so if anything strikes you as interesting, I would appreciate the feedback.
