Artificial Intelligence has been on everyone’s minds lately and the vast consensus is that AI is evil, job-stealing technology that needs to be stopped.
I cannot understand these opinions, especially from progressives. Is AI not the very definition of progress? For now, AI cannot create, it can only synthesize from what has already been made, so, if you are truly creative, you should have nothing to fear… right?
Let’s discuss the different kinds of AI, as only some types are actually problematic. AI tools are something most of us use every day. If you have a Google Pixel phone, (and you should) Every time you take a picture, an onboard AI can make it the best version of that picture it can be. There are many more examples, but just know that this isn’t the kind that most people take issue with, nor will it be discussed here.
Next is generative AI. Public enemy number one. In my earlier post, titled AI art: when will we learn, I talk about artists being accused of using AI, why it might scare us, and some potential cultural ramifications. I won’t go over those points again, but, the actual generation of images merits more discussion.
Is inspiration theft? Can robots be inspired? Do androids dream of electric sheep?
Is an AI being fed image data to generate a new image considered theft? with my personal feelings leaning toward AI sympathetic, I see it as the same thing as a human taking inspiration from art and generating their own art. If that’s theft, let he who has never been inspired cast the first stone.
Side note: As an Aspie, I have always felt akin to robotic characters. Perhaps this affects my judgment in this area. I’ll probably write more on this later. At any rate, as the line between human and robot blurs, we will all need to ask ourselves these questions sooner or later.
AI and Automation and UBI
In discussing this subject further IRL, I’ve heard it said that AI and automation are broadly doing the same thing, i.e. doing work that people can do, only more efficiently. There are differences, mainly that AI takes the jobs that automation should allow us to do more of. Automation is a deeper topic, and more thoughts are provided in this post, but I’m pretty much pro-AI and pro-automation.
AI and automation both give us choice, that’s the basic service they provide. As a creator, the choice between taking out a loan to hire artists to illustrate a card game or getting it done for cheap by an AI. As a consumer, the choice between the speed and precision of robot-made fast food, or the personal touch and warmth of a human-staffed diner.
UBI is the foil to the undesirable aspects of automation and I believe it’s the foil to AI, as well. If companies start using AI instead of hiring workers, we need checks and balances in place so that change can benefit everyone.
No, the jobs created by AI will not be as plentiful as those taken by AI, but, in my view, if you have the kind of job that AI can replace, it’s probably soul-sucking just like an Amazon warehouse job. If you’re a digital artist, worried that AI might steal your job, expand your horizons. Adapt or die, this is nothing new.
People get upset
People get upset when AI art wins an art contest, but, it isn’t the AI that entered. It was a person with a vision that AI helped bring to life. AI art wins a lot of contests these days. Mostly because it’s novel. But even projects like this video that Corridor Digital put out are called “soulless” and “without a shred of artistic integrity”. AI was only used to enhance the visuals, while the script, idea, acting, music, and the rest of the project were all done by hand. Human hand, if you must know.
People get upset that all AI artists have to do is type a few words into a computer to achieve their results. Do you mean like a writer does? Isn’t that what most jobs are these days? Am I going insane?
People get upset that AI steals jobs, but what of the people who have newly minted AI-related jobs? Do the jobs created by the new AI gold rush not count? Who deserves to have a job and who doesn’t? A writer deserves a job, but an AI integration specialist, trainer, programmer, or other related worker does not? I have a friend who trains AI for work, and they are so ashamed of this that they won’t mention it publicly. But don’t they have a job because of AI?
Here I am, virtually arguing for robot rights, of all things, in 2024 while others try to stymie the flow of changes AI will bring, new jobs, opportunities, choices and all. I thought I was supposed to be scared of change. Maybe I’m not conservative. Maybe I’m the most progressive person I know, after all.
Seeing ≠ believing
As generative AI improves, the fear that we will no longer be able to tell what’s real and what’s not grows with it. Even since my last post on the subject, Sora, the new most realistic AI image and video generator, has been unveiled. It’s quite good. I think we’re past that point.
You can’t stop it, but complaining doesn’t help, it might take your job, but it might give you a new one, you think you prefer pure human art, but AI gets better every day, you believe seeing or hearing proof of actions committed to be empirical evidence, but that’s no longer the case. AI can aim for you in video games and summarize blog posts like this. Maybe I should be more worried.
It’s scary to think about, but the time for thinking is over. It’s reality. Let’s do what we can and stop trying to change what we can’t. Good luck out there.