Welcome to the end of the week, and the start of my latest article.
As I dive deeper into the job search and navigate my place in this world, I am constantly reminded of AI's impactful influence on humanity. I wrote my hot takes on AI several articles ago, however, after conducting more research and interviewing with a generative AI company, I want to share my less ignorant thoughts. Here are my "Cool Takes."
First, I want to start this article with my view on AI’s current state and what I anticipate is going to happen next. The phrase, “What a time to be alive.”, has never been more relevant, and the possibilities for the future are endless. The only limitations are our imaginations, and whether or not we blow up the planet first. I am an optimist though, and I believe that humans are fundamentally good. The past has proven that we eventually get things right, it just takes time to get there. Now, it is a matter of when AI will be able to help everyone, not just employers and employees.
Speaking of employment, and on a less positive note, AI will be taking out jobs in a very significant way, and much sooner than some may be ready for. This trend has already started, and I anticipate that it will continue to the point that companies end up cutting over 50% of their workforce. Unfortunately, the harsh truth of business and capitalism is that if a task can be done for a fraction of the cost and typical time taken, you would be a bad business owner if you didn’t adapt accordingly. However, if we get to that point, I would hope that programs and systems have been put in place, also enabled by AI, that keep the general population healthy, happy, and housed.
Now to bring it back to the positive (sorry for the roller coaster), I have been thinking about the future impacted by AI and what that could look like. During an interview, I was asked an intriguing question, “What is your best-case scenario, or dream world, in which AI seamlessly integrates into human lifestyles?” At the moment, I can’t recall exactly what I said, probably something really cool, but now that I have had more time to think about it, I want to spend the time to answer the question more creatively.
Here is my AI Dream World:
In the foreseeable future of 2050, humanity has upgraded to the next tier and is closer to the real possibility of colonizing other planets. Now that the basic human problems have been solved, we can start working together to ensure that the Earth will not explode. World-class innovative systems and innovations have been released and are accessible to a majority of the population. Collectively, humanity is in the best place it has ever been; morale is high.
We have come a long way, but we wouldn’t have made it this far without the following inventions:
- Government Regulated Data Collection Program —? The people have voted for the implementation of a new system that aims to help everyone displaced by AI and those who are already struggling. Additionally, the system ensures that we no longer experience catastrophic events like the COVID-19 Pandemic. The system works by collecting advanced data on individuals through wearable technology, which is then injected into a database that is analyzed by advanced AI models that can generate meaningful insights on how to improve society. The government will ensure your well-being by providing essential living resources and also provide you with solutions to your everyday problems. Subsequently, the average human’s quality of life will be greatly increased. As a bonus effect, we will discover even more ways to innovate on human happiness and positive mental health for future generations.
- 2-Way Augmented Reality — A new way to communicate with other humans has been implemented into society. Now, there is the ability to project "holograms" that everyone can experience, not just an individual. Information can be dynamically shared and displayed in a way that greatly enhances the efficiency of supply chains, transportation, and basic human interactions. Entire cities and even countries have seen a dramatic increase in efficiency thus saving resources and reallocating them into innovation and better financial investments.
- 100% Immersive & Accessible Content — Generative AI has peaked and now the average citizen can make Hollywood production-level content in a weekend. Everyone has a platform in which to share their story with others in a safe space that is 100% accessible and takes on multiple forms depending on the user viewing the content. Now, a “disability” no longer means you can’t experience the same thing that others do. Everyone can communicate effectively with everyone, and everyone will be heard. As a bonus, we will all enjoy much more entertaining content that improves our spirit and is not destroyed by advertisements.
- Human Augmentation — Inventions like wearable technology in the form of added appendages are not just for Doc Ock mad scientists, but are morally accepted in society. Now, you can wear extra arms or legs that are smart enough to adapt to your lifestyle and trivialize tasks that previously took hours or were impossible. It is a common chore to go down to the robotics store to get your extra arms upgraded and enhanced routinely. You can swap the tech in and out, and even customize the look and sounds your robot arms make.
Many groundbreaking inventions and innovations have been released to the public, but these four were the most impactful.
Next, to bring this article back to reality, I wanted to share how I am currently utilizing AI to enhance my productivity as a Product Designer.
My current world enhanced by AI:
- Extreme Brainstorming — I can now come up with new ideas rapidly and see them played out in more detail without wasting as much energy as I used to. I can ask Chat GPT extremely complicated questions that I would typically ask another person. Then I can use my new knowledge to generate more meaningful sketches and wireframes without having to do any work in Figma. It is all just writing and reading comprehension which leads to even deeper thoughts and more exciting results. Case in point, all my latest work is AI-enabled, and I can make my original content and designs with a fraction of the previous effort needed. I was already a fast creator, but now, I am even faster. Watch out.
- Advanced Code Generation & Implementation — Patience has been my weakness when learning coding languages and gaining a fundamental understanding of computer science. I have the brain feature of ADHD so it is an extra challenge when staring at code; my mind goes wild. However, now by utilizing generative AI, I can understand how code is written in real time and understand the semantics of how things work from a technical standpoint. I already had a strong understanding of front-end development, but I was missing the pieces that a real developer processes to make the dream a reality. Now, I can confidently tackle a new coding project for my website, clients, or product concepts and combine that with my new Usability Testing skills to make beautifully functional experiences.
- Writing — The largest impact AI currently has on the general population is the enhancement of writing skills. I am incredibly lucky to have been born with natural talents, including writing, so AI has made me exponentially better at writing. Writing has always been a form of therapy for me, and it was a good way to express my complex emotions when I was younger. I would often write in my free time just for fun, but I rarely, if ever, shared anything with anyone else. Now I have broken out of my shell and it seems I won't be slowing down my writing hobby any time soon. AI has been an essential boost to my writing skills, however, I don’t use Chat GPT. I use Grammarly to assist me with my grammar and tone of voice. It is much easier to write creatively when a machine is automatically correcting my typos and wacky comma placements. I do wonder if this is making me too reliant on technology to write, is that a bad thing? Maybe that is just the new thing.
Finally, to bring this article to a close, and to ensure that spirits remain high, I will summarize my optimistic view of the future. Humans will prevail, and life will find a way. Humans are fundamentally good, and AI will help us be the best version of ourselves. It will take time, but we will get there eventually.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading! I am very excited about what is to come, and I hope I can contribute to the progress of humanity.
Cheers, and have a great weekend!
Previous article on AI → [Link]
