Is Generative AI fact or fiction? Yes.

Jun 26, 2024

I admit that all these tech hype cycles have been exhausting. As an employee of the tech sector, I’ve had a front-row seat to Big Tech’s response to each new wave of potentially life-altering technology.

This post originally appeared on Lozafina’s community blog. Republished here with permission.
Note: Unique AI-generated phrases are presented as bold and italic.

It’s understandable that most folks might have tuned out somewhere between news of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), bitcoins, and metaverses booming and busting all over their social feeds. Most of those have been obnoxiously over-hyped.

Now, Artificial Intelligence - or more specifically, Generative AI - takes center stage. This one is unlike the fleeting trends of Bored Ape NFTs selling for millions, or Mark Zuckerberg’s radical metaverse. Generative AI promises (and threatens) to more profoundly reshape our world.

But before we dive into the potential future, let's unpack Generative AI as a concept.

Generative AI is an umbrella term that refers to algorithms that can create new content. Specifically, content like text, images, music, or even entire videos.

In fact, as you read, please note that bold-italic text represents surviving novel ChatGPT-generated passages - not to mention every image in this article.

We should all be familiar with the concept of algorithms serving up existing content:

Google search algorithms
Social and news feed algorithms
Related TV shows and up-next algorithms
Spotify’s entire music platform is built around cultivating music to fit your data-driven interests.

All these simple incarnations of Artificial Intelligence only serve up existing content.

Now, with Generative AI, all that personalized information, once used to serve relevant existing information, can be the context used to generate brand new content to be spun up to keep your attention. This means that machines learn from existing data and now use that knowledge to produce something entirely new - from crunching numbers to creating art, literature, even entire TV channels.

Does GenAI steal from existing work?

The most straightforward answer I can give at this moment is that we just don’t know yet.

Multiple court cases are underway that will help give some legal precedent to set foundational context. Currently, the most high profile case is NYT vs OpenAI. The case isn’t very cut and dry, but thankfully Generative AI is fantastic at summarization. Please enjoy a brief overview of this ongoing legal battle, courtesy of Perplexity.ai.

The way these systems digest information when training the foundational AI models is very similar to how a human learns about a subject. Generalization, summarization and categorization of training data is really all that’s left from the original content. The actual trove of information would be far too big to keep at top of mind for any LLM (Large Language Model) or human, for that matter.

I’d describe GenAI’s outputs as a techno-collage – complex mosaics of colors, concepts, ideas, perspectives, decades of culture and style – distilled and recontextualized.

Using this definition, there’s strong potential for GenAI’s output to be classified as unique works deserving of copyright.

The other major question…. Will it take my job?

Generative AI is surprising everyone - even those who invented it. Novel knowledge emerges from making connections between points of massive amounts of data. This means the AI can think new thoughts, reach conclusions, and generate novel insights that aren’t included in its original training data.

So, yes, that is to say that Generative AI is proving to be quite capable of automating remarkably complex tasks. Many of those same tasks that would make up most, if not all, of just about anyone’s job duties.

The worry for some, and expectation for others, is that AI will take over both manual labor as well as white-collar jobs.

The Industrial Revolution's impact on manual labor by automated machines led to massive social and economic upheavals. The transition was painful and chaotic, but also created entirely new job sectors.

Fast forward to the present, and we're facing a similar disruption. AI is capable of performing tasks that were quite recently the sole domain of humans—data analysis, customer service, even content creation.

Clerical tasks, administrative departments, bookkeeping, HR, marketing, even sales departments are at risk of complete automation! There just aren’t many tasks performed in these departments that couldn’t be automated through a series of Generative AI tools.

So businesses will learn to do more with less – most will hire fewer people moving forward and dismiss any further need for entry level positions.

But, doesn’t GenAI lie sometimes?

It does. These errors are called hallucinations, so calling them lies might make them sound a bit more deceptive than they are. The nature of generating an output usually requires the AI to thrust one foot in front of the other, word after word, until it’s completed its response.

Speaking extemporaneously and with conviction about any prompted subject is how LLMs function. Needless to say, some outputs won’t pass the sniff test. Those rates are drastically decreasing with each iterative release, but there’s always going to be a non-zero chance that the machine is lying to you.

However, the gains to business productivity that AI promises are too great, even with the occasional whoopsie. After all, we’ve trusted people to do all the jobs, and look at what a mess we’ve made of this place.

My greatest fear is how we decide to adopt this technology into our existing workflows. Perhaps a human in a position of power relies on the wisdom of this sage machine to make consequential decisions. A hallucination with this context could become a life-or-death error. And, with that said, it should come as no surprise that the healthcare insurance industry is adopting AI to replace humans in the wake of turbulent layoffs.

Is this giving you a vision of a hellish future of weaponized bureaucracy with no oversight, no insight, and no recourse? …you’re not alone.

The sobering reality is the jobs market will continue to restrict. We’ll go from conventional employment agreements to a market filled with patchworking, hopscotching, enterprising individuals.

We’ve seen glimmers of it in the so-called gig economy, but those examples were just gigs in employment’s clothing with centralized owners of distribution and dispatch having complete command over work performed. That’s not where we’re headed. What comes next is chaotic and disruptive, but ultimately empowering.

New jobs, new opportunities, new livelihoods are all waiting for us to create them.

This transformation will feel abrupt – and uncomfortable – but we’ve been uncomfortable for ages now. We’re built for this.

We’ll need to reskill. Thankfully, that’s as simple as using a friendly conversational interface.

My advice? Talk to it.

We must also choose to accept GenAI as an ally instead of an intruder. It may not come to take our current jobs, but someone using it just might.

Adopting GenAI into our lives, understanding its uses and limitations will give us a chance to live more vibrantly - communicate more clearly - understand and be understood without delay. The interpersonal potential of Generative AI is vast and largely untapped. From revolutionizing creative processes to solving complex global tensions, its applications are endless.

The story of AI doesn’t have to remain one of tech giants cutting jobs with cutting-edge research. It can be a story of human ingenuity and the individual’s quest to push collective boundaries.

For posterity, here’s the ChatGPT conversation transcript used in the foundation of this piece:

You

So I'm writing a piece for a different audience. A broader audience. Not a dumber audience, just one that isn't as tapped in to the Generative AI space.

So here's what I've got so far. Let's bat it around a bit and consider concepts, context and perspective to cover as we expand it:

Title: AI – Fact? Fiction? Both, somehow? Yes.

The hype surrounding BigTech since the pandemic has been exhausting. I say this as a now-former member of the tech sector. It’s understandable to have tuned after NFTs, bitcoins and metaverses boomed and busted all over our news feeds.

ChatGPT

Great start! Let's delve deeper into some key aspects to expand this piece while keeping it accessible yet engaging for a broader audience. We can weave in concepts, historical context, and potential impacts of AI to build a comprehensive narrative.

Title: AI – Fact? Fiction? Both, somehow? Yes.

The hype surrounding BigTech since the pandemic has been exhausting. I say this as a now-former member of the tech sector. It’s understandable to have tuned out after NFTs, bitcoins, and metaverses boomed and busted all over our news feeds.

Enter Generative AI: The New Frontier

Now, AI—or more specifically, Generative AI—has taken center stage. Unlike the ephemeral trends of NFTs and metaverses, Generative AI promises (and threatens) to reshape our world in more profound ways. But before we dive into the potential future, let's untangle what Generative AI actually is.

A Quick Primer on Generative AI

Generative AI refers to algorithms that can create new content. These can be texts, images, music, or even entire videos. Imagine a machine that not only learns from existing data but uses that knowledge to produce something entirely new. This isn't just about crunching numbers; it's about creating art, literature, and maybe even new recipes for your favorite dishes.

From Fiction to Fact: The Evolution of AI

Science fiction has long toyed with the idea of intelligent machines—from Isaac Asimov's robots to the AI overlords in "The Matrix." But today's AI isn't about dystopian futures or robotic companions. It's more about improving daily tasks, enhancing creativity, and yes, sometimes even generating those bizarre, viral internet memes.

Real-World Applications and Misconceptions

While the media often dramatizes AI as either a utopian savior or a dystopian nightmare, the reality is more nuanced. AI is already embedded in our lives in ways we often overlook:

Healthcare: AI helps in diagnosing diseases, predicting outbreaks, and personalizing treatment plans.
Entertainment: From Netflix recommendations to AI-generated music, the entertainment industry is embracing these technologies.
Customer Service: Ever chatted with a bot online? That's AI streamlining customer support.

However, it's crucial to debunk some myths. AI is not sentient; it doesn't have feelings or consciousness. It's a tool—an incredibly powerful one, but still just a tool.

The Ethical Quandaries

With great power comes great responsibility. The rise of AI brings forth significant ethical questions:

Bias and Fairness: AI systems can perpetuate and even amplify existing biases. How do we ensure fairness?
Privacy: As AI systems often require vast amounts of data, how do we protect personal information?
Job Displacement: While AI can create new job opportunities, it can also render some jobs obsolete. How do we balance this shift?

Looking Forward: The Future of AI

The potential of Generative AI is vast and largely untapped. From revolutionizing creative industries to solving complex global challenges, its applications are endless. However, it requires a balanced approach—harnessing its benefits while mitigating its risks.

Conclusion: Navigating the AI Revolution

As we stand on the brink of this new technological era, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. The story of AI is not just one of tech giants and cutting-edge research; it's a story of human ingenuity and the quest to push boundaries. So, whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual observer, the unfolding narrative of AI is one worth following.

What do you think? This structure provides a blend of informative content, context, and thought-provoking questions, making it accessible and engaging for a broader audience. Let's refine any specific sections or add more details where you see fit.

You

I think it's pretty clear the fear is job displacement. Let's focus in on that a bit more

ChatGPT

Certainly! Let's delve into the theme of job displacement caused by AI, balancing facts with relatable examples to make the topic accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

Title: AI – Fact? Fiction? Both, somehow? Yes.

Enter Generative AI: The New Frontier

A Quick Primer on Generative AI

The Impact on Jobs: Fear of Displacement

While AI's capabilities are impressive, they come with a significant downside—job displacement. The fear of losing jobs to machines isn't new; it dates back to the Industrial Revolution when Luddites smashed textile machinery in protest. Today, the worry is that AI could take over not just manual labor but also white-collar jobs.

Historical Context: The Industrial Revolution saw machines replacing manual labor, leading to massive social and economic upheavals. While it eventually led to job creation in new sectors, the transition was painful and chaotic.
Current Reality: Fast forward to the present, and we're facing a similar disruption. AI is capable of performing tasks that were once the domain of humans—data analysis, customer service, even content creation. This shift raises critical questions about the future of work.

Real-World Examples of AI in the Workforce

Healthcare: AI helps in diagnosing diseases, predicting outbreaks, and personalizing treatment plans. While it augments doctors' capabilities, there's a concern about it replacing certain medical jobs.
Retail and Customer Service: Automated checkouts and AI-driven customer service bots are becoming commonplace, reducing the need for human employees in these sectors.
Manufacturing: Robots and AI systems handle everything from assembly lines to quality control, leading to fewer jobs for human workers.

The Human Element: Jobs at Risk and New Opportunities

The rise of AI isn't just about job loss; it's about transformation. Jobs that involve routine tasks are most at risk, but there are opportunities for new roles that require human creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.

At Risk: Data entry, routine analysis, and some administrative roles could be automated away.
New Opportunities: AI ethics specialists, AI trainers, and roles in AI system maintenance and oversight are emerging fields.

Balancing the Shift: Education and Reskilling

To navigate this shift, a strong focus on education and reskilling is essential. Just as the Industrial Revolution required new skills, the AI revolution demands an overhaul of our current educational paradigms.

STEM Education: Emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is crucial, but so is fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Continuous Learning: Lifelong learning will become the norm, with workers needing to update their skills regularly to stay relevant.