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I don't understand the point of AI

Cloud44

I genuinely don't get it. Not being awkward (although there might be a bit of a fear of change influencing my thinking) but when I ask people 'what is the point of AI?' they seem to think it's a rhetorical question. But it's not, it's a real question that I don't know the answer to. As far as I can see, it's a computer thinking for us which will eventually result in a loss of skills and an inability to learn new things. For example, when I write, I want to learn how to improve the grammar, sentence structure etc, not have software do it all for me. Same with everything in life. I don't mind getting things wrong if feedback allows me the opportunity to improve.

Can anyone see the advantages? Rather than be dismissive of AI and shut it down, I'd like to learn from others and find out what they get out of it and maybe find something I am missing, or how it could benefit me.

Thanks

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  • Firstly I think we have to decide on what type of AI we are talking about - it is so broad nowadays and yet most people think of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, but we also have AI responsible for online algorithms (YouTube recommendations, social media feeds, etc.), AI for video game enemies, etc. etc.

    From reading this thread it's clear that most of us are talking about the former: ChatGPT and its competitors. Personally, I can see the benefits in terms of increasing workplace productivity when it comes to certain tasks, but I'm against it in the vast majority of scenarios. I think the most dangerous thing is the way it can so quickly hallucinate information and feed it back to you as if it is fact, meaning that if you engage in a conversation on a topic you know nothing about, the AI can easily mislead you into thinking something completely false. I'd recommend taking a subject you're knowledgeable on, then asking AI very specific questions about it and see how quickly it goes down a rabbit hole of lies, and then you'll see just how "intelligent" it is. For example, I asked AI to explain ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) to me, and it got it absolutely backwards.

    However, I feel like even in the cases where it can provide useful information it's still a bad thing. Let's say you use it to brainstorm ideas, it often does a decent job and it can help inspire you with new ideas, but if you're not careful you'll go to it for every single creative task and before you know it you have no imagination of your own.

    It can certainly be advantageous, but I feel it'll mostly be advantageous to the wrong types of people: hackers using AI to crack passwords, falsified information being used to push propaganda campaigns, AI chat agents being utilised by scammers, etc.

    I know you aksed for people to outline the advantages, and I have been super negative, but even when I try to look at it positively all I see are flaws. Sorry haha.

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  • Firstly I think we have to decide on what type of AI we are talking about - it is so broad nowadays and yet most people think of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, but we also have AI responsible for online algorithms (YouTube recommendations, social media feeds, etc.), AI for video game enemies, etc. etc.

    From reading this thread it's clear that most of us are talking about the former: ChatGPT and its competitors. Personally, I can see the benefits in terms of increasing workplace productivity when it comes to certain tasks, but I'm against it in the vast majority of scenarios. I think the most dangerous thing is the way it can so quickly hallucinate information and feed it back to you as if it is fact, meaning that if you engage in a conversation on a topic you know nothing about, the AI can easily mislead you into thinking something completely false. I'd recommend taking a subject you're knowledgeable on, then asking AI very specific questions about it and see how quickly it goes down a rabbit hole of lies, and then you'll see just how "intelligent" it is. For example, I asked AI to explain ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) to me, and it got it absolutely backwards.

    However, I feel like even in the cases where it can provide useful information it's still a bad thing. Let's say you use it to brainstorm ideas, it often does a decent job and it can help inspire you with new ideas, but if you're not careful you'll go to it for every single creative task and before you know it you have no imagination of your own.

    It can certainly be advantageous, but I feel it'll mostly be advantageous to the wrong types of people: hackers using AI to crack passwords, falsified information being used to push propaganda campaigns, AI chat agents being utilised by scammers, etc.

    I know you aksed for people to outline the advantages, and I have been super negative, but even when I try to look at it positively all I see are flaws. Sorry haha.

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