Thursday Things: AI Chatbot Edition
1 December 2022. Vol 4 No 48 By Dan McGirt. #173
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New technology will destroy the fountain pen industry! Photo by Daria Kraplak on Unsplash
Chatting with the future
Back in September we took a look at AI image generators (Bunny horse!).
I’ve played with several of these image AI tools online and generated a few cool or interesting images, but I haven’t been able to get the results some people do. I can certainly type in a text prompt and get a generated image I could never create on my own, simply because I lack the skills as a visual artist or digital artist. But I think the best images I’ve seen are ones by actual artists (as opposed to writers goofing around with a new toy) who can look at AI-generated images with an expert eye and then tweak and refine those into something amazing.
That is, AI-generated images can probably fill many commercial and other needs for image content, but they aren’t going to replace human artists for creativity and expression — because AI’s can only sort and remix information from the datasets they were trained on or have access to. Still, the rise of AI “art” may well have a negative impact on the job prospects of some visual artists — while also being a useful tool for other artists.
But artificial intelligence algorithms can do more than draw pictures! AIs have also been trained to generate text in natural language. Recently, I had an online conversation with one such program — the OpenAI “large language model” chatbot.
I’ll let the chatbot explain what the heck that is:
ME: What is a "large language model"? I am not a computer scientist, so can you explain that in layman's terms?
AI: A"large language model" is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) system that is designed to generate natural language text. These systems are trained on a large amount of text data, which allows them to generate responses that are similar to human-generated text. Large language models are often used for tasks such as language translation, summarization, or question answering. In layman's terms, a large language model is a type of AI system that is able to understand and generate text in a way that is similar to humans. These systems are trained on vast amounts of data, which allows them to generate responses quickly and accurately.
ME: I understand. Your responses are interesting and well composed.
AI: Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad that my responses have been helpful and interesting. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, my primary purpose is to assist users in generating natural language text based on their input. I am not a human and do not have personal opinions or emotions, but I am designed to provide accurate and helpful information on a wide range of topics. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to assist you.
The future of publishing?
Of course as a writer and publisher I was interested to know how this technology might affect the the publishing industry. So I asked the AI:
ME: How will AI affect the book publishing industry?
AI: It is difficult to predict exactly how AI will affect the book publishing industry in the future. However, it is likely that AI will play a larger role in the industry, particularly in areas such as content creation, editing, and distribution. For example, AI algorithms may be able to assist authors in generating ideas for new books, or help editors in identifying potential errors and inconsistencies in a manuscript. AI may also be used to improve the distribution and marketing of books, by making personalized recommendations to readers based on their reading history and preferences. Overall, it is likely that AI will have both positive and negative effects on the book publishing industry, but it is impossible to say for certain at this time.
Interestingly, the AI gave no specific examples of possible negative effects on publishing, only positive ones. Clever girl.
Philosophy in a flash
We also discussed philosophy:
ME: What are some of the main difference between the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle?
AI: Plato and Aristotle were two of the most influential philosophers in ancient Greece. While they both lived and worked in the same time and place, their philosophical views on many topics were quite different. Some of the main differences between the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle include:
Plato's philosophy was based on the idea of eternal, unchanging forms, while Aristotle's philosophy was based on the observation of the natural world. Plato believed that the physical world we see around us is only a shadow or imitation of the true, perfect world of forms. In contrast, Aristotle believed that knowledge could be gained through the study of the natural world, and that the physical world was the only source of truth.
Plato believed in the existence of an ideal society, which he called the "Republic". In this ideal society, people would be divided into distinct classes based on their abilities and talents, and the rulers of the society would be philosopher-kings who were wise and just. Aristotle, on the other hand, believed that the best form of government was one in which the people had a say in the decisions that affected them. He believed that the best way to achieve this was through a system of checks and balances, in which different groups in society had different powers and responsibilities.
Plato believed in the concept of the soul, which he believed was immortal and existed independently of the body. He believed that the soul was the source of a person's thoughts and actions, and that it was divided into three parts: reason, spirit, and desire. Aristotle, on the other hand, did not believe in the existence of the soul as a separate entity. He believed that the mind and the body were interconnected, and that the mind was the result of the body's functioning.
Overall, the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle were quite different, despite the fact that they lived and worked in the same time and place. Plato's philosophy was based on eternal forms and an ideal society, while Aristotle's philosophy was based on observation and a belief in the importance of the people's role in government.
In case you were wondering about that.
Plato and Aristotle playing electric guitars in ancient Greece. Source: Me & DALL-E2
Blazing speed
If you weren’t there watching it in real time, you wouldn’t know that the AI composed all of the above in less than five seconds. I asked the question, there was a brief pause, and all then all that text appeared all at once! How is that even possible?
Naturally, I asked the all-wise, all-knowing AI chatbot:
ME: How do you write so fast?
AI: As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I am not capable of writing in the same way that a human would. I do not have a physical body or the ability to type or write, and I do not have personal thoughts or opinions. Instead, my responses are generated by algorithms that are designed to produce natural language text based on the input I receive. I am able to provide answers to a wide range of questions quickly because I have been trained on a vast amount of text data, which allows me to generate responses quickly and accurately. I do not have the ability to think or reason in the same way that a human would, so I am not able to write in the same way either.
Well, that’s reassuring. I’d hate to think some computer can write like a human being and do it a bazillion times faster. Whew!
Airship flying over a small town in the Old West. Source: DALL-E 2 & Me
When zeppelins attack!
But it wasn’t all deep thoughts. We also got into some obscure topics, like the great airship panic of the late 1800s.
ME: Do you have information on the "airship panics" of the 19th century?
AI: The "airship panics" of the 19th century refer to a series of sightings of unidentified flying objects, particularly in the United States, that were believed by some to be airships or other advanced technologies. These sightings sparked widespread speculation and fear, with some people believing that they were seeing alien spacecraft or secret military technology.
The first of these panics occurred in 1897, when a wave of sightings swept across the United States. These sightings were reported in the media, and many people believed that they were seeing a new type of airship being developed by the government or by a private inventor. The sightings continued throughout the early 1900s, leading to widespread speculation and fear.
In most cases, the sightings were eventually explained as misidentifications of natural phenomena or known technologies, such as kites or hot air balloons. However, the "airship panics" of the 19th century are an interesting example of how quickly new technologies can generate fear and speculation.
Imagine that! Silly humans, full of fear and speculation about new technologies!
Losing sleep
If you’re worried about being replaced by an AI, you might have trouble sleeping. Well, fear not, my AI chatbot friend has some helpful tips for you:
ME: Do you have any advice for improving the quality of my sleep?
AI: There are many steps you can take to improve the quality of your sleep. Some tips for getting a better night's rest include:
Establish a regular sleep schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help regulate your body's internal clock and improve your sleep quality.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine: A consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your body that it is time to sleep. This may include activities such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to calming music.
Create a sleep-friendly environment: Your sleep environment can greatly impact the quality of your sleep. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet, and avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones or laptops before bed, as the blue light they emit can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals close to bedtime: Caffeine, alcohol, and large meals can all interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Avoid consuming these substances close to bedtime to ensure you get the best possible night's rest.
Consider trying relaxation techniques: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help calm your mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep.
Overall, there are many steps you can take to improve the quality of your sleep. By establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and creating a sleep-friendly environment, you can increase your chances of getting a good night's rest.
Yes, sleep … sleep … don’t worry about anything. The AI will take care of it for you. All you need to do is sleep. You are so sleepy. So very sleeeeeeeeeeepy…
Neon death goddess. Yes, I’m sleeping just fine, why do you ask? Source: DALL-E 2
Brave New World
Maybe someday we’ll reach the point where an AI can write entire book, articles, or interesting and helpful Thursday newsletters and displace human writers, but we’re not there yet!
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Interesting