#3 AI Evolution: Panic or Promise

Letter from the Editor:

Good morning all; I hope your weeks are off to a good start.

I think we can all agree - AI is reshaping our world in ways we could never have imagined only a few years ago. The past year has been quite a transformational journey. Really challenging us to think about our moral views on the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the upcoming artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Personally, I now believe the hype that AI stands on the same transformative podium as inventions like electricity and microchips, if not exceeding them, in its potential to revolutionise our lives.

Yet, the widespread narrative on AI seems to be laced with fear and paranoia, despite its vast potential. Claims that AI could spell our doom, destroy our society, snatch away jobs, and even enable ill intentions often dominate the discussion. The question then arises - why such a stark divergence between the promise of utopia and the dread of dystopia?

As we delve into the annals of history, we find that each groundbreaking technology - from electric lighting to the Internet - has sparked its fair share of 'moral panic'. This social contagion, often stoked by new technologies, convinces people that the latest innovation will cause societal disarray or even apocalyptic scenarios.

A quick browse around the Pessimists Archive is a fun way to jog our collective memories about the fear, distrust, and hysteria surrounding new technologies. There’s a clear recurring pattern throughout history.

It's important not to be too flippant and note that the more reasonable concerns aren't baseless - several past technologies, while beneficial, have had very negative repercussions. However, the inherent irrationality of moral panics tends to amplify these concerns, ironically making it harder to address legitimate issues.

The AI discourse is currently in the grip of such a moral panic, with various entities using this heightened fear to push for stringent AI laws, regulations, and restrictions much like they did for electricity, the automobile, books, elevators and even teddy bears !

These entities, presenting themselves as the guardians of public welfare, continue to stoke the flames of panic with dramatic warnings about AI's dangers. But are these purveyors of panic truly our champions? And are their dramatic forecasts accurate or alarmist?

And when the developers of ChatGPT say stuff like this in their articles, it’s no wonder the divisiveness prevails:

"Superintelligence will be the most impactful technology humanity has ever invented, and could help us solve many of the world’s most important problems. But the vast power of superintelligence could also be very dangerous, and could lead to the disempowerment of humanity or even human extinction." - OpenAI

These are questions we are constantly asking at MAJOR. And we'll unpack these pressing questions and delve deeper into the realities of AI in our upcoming editions. Please let us know your own thoughts and questions. We're in unchartered territory, so let's unravel the promise and the panic together.

Best, Martyn?McDermott, Experience Director

Mastering the Art of AI

This week I heard someone say: "AI won’t take away your job, but someone using AI will."

AI is a tool. Like any tool, its efficacy relies heavily on the individuals who use it.

AI provides a myriad of techniques that enable us to prototype and translate our ideas into reality rapidly.

Much like how a paintbrush gives artists the means to express their creativity on canvas, AI provides a structured, data-driven approach that empowers us to tackle intricate issues with increasing precision, ingenuity, and iterative problem-solving.

However, masterpieces are attributed NOT to the paintbrush but to the artists who deftly wield it.

Keep this in mind as you attempt to shift your innovation mindset: without an artist to pick it up and breathe life into it, the paintbrush, no matter how technologically advanced, remains motionless. AI is no different. It is our human ingenuity, creativity, and wisdom that truly unlock the potential of AI.

Here’s a fun example that illustrates the potential of what AI can help us create. This YouTuber, Lace Editing, used voice cloning to time travel and get Frank Sinatra to sing Coolio’s Gangsters Paradise .

If you are keen to learn how to wield AI for your business, here are some great introductory courses to get you started:

MAJOR activity:

1. Andy, our creative director, wrote a handy guide to designing for inclusivity:

Building a Better Future: How Inclusive Design is Bridging the Accessibility Gap

2. Threads was released; everyone got excited and then very quickly went, meh!

3. Davs, our Technical Director, got on his soapbox at Plus X

4. Martyn went to the launch of Wired Sussex's FUSE@TEN report:

The event was a potent reminder of the transformative impact that the Brighton Fuse report has had on research, regional development, business, and policy-making within the Creative Industries. Phil Jones , Director at Wired Sussex and co-author of the report, illustrated how the report's findings have inspired innovation, shaped the landscape, and led to decisive action.

Ty Goddard , the newly elected Labour Councillor for Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, emphasised the critical role of the tech, digital, and creative sectors in the region's development.

You can download the original Fuse report (2013) and the newly released Fuse at Ten reports (May 2023) here:

A major highlight of the evening was the announcement of Greater Brighton Tech Week 2024, an event that promises to propel our city further onto the global stage and attract even more international attention and investment. I’ll be exploring opportunities for MAJOR to participate and contribute to this upcoming tech showcase.

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