Dear ChatGPT: Should we pull the plug on you? Can We?

With an increasing number of technology leaders not just sounding alarms but?banging?the loudest gongs they can find concerning the potentially dire consequences of continued advances in artificial intelligence, perhaps we should collectively consider if anything?can?actually be done to stop the algorithm-driven tsunami that is already upon us.

Of course, the warnings about AI didn’t just spring up with the launch of ChatGPT —such concerns have been expressed for decades. Stephen Hawking, prior to his death in 2018, issued perhaps one of the most alarming admonitions, saying that artificial intelligence could be the “worst event in the history of our civilization,” (CNBC, 2017). However, with the launch of ChatGPT and similar platforms, it’s as if everything just got real for the rest of us —very real.

As most are aware, the launch also prompted an open letter from the tech community calling for a “pause” in AI advances, and was signed by tech leaders such as, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, Geoffry Hinton (the so-called “Godfather of AI”) and thousands of others including, engineers and computer scientists from tech companies such as, Amazon, DeepMind, Google, Meta and Microsoft. To leverage a physics analogy, such widespread concern would seem more than sufficient to represent?critical mass.

Yet (continuing with the analogy), even a nuclear chain reaction may be insufficient to halt AI advances. Bill Gates, in an April 4th interview with Reuters, suggested that “calls to pause AI won’t solve challenges.” According to Gates, trying to stop or pause AI advances globally would likely be impossible. For one thing, how would such a pause be enforced, and by what global governing body? (See the “island of misfit” environmental accords and agreements as examples of the probable futility of any such attempts. It would be like the?prisoner’s dilemma?in game-theory. Eventually, even rational actors fall to the temptation of individual reward versus mutual benefit). Gates suggested that a more optimal path forward would be to focus on leveraging the positive aspects of AI, while also addressing the “tricky areas.”

I tend to?cautiously?agree with this latter view, if for no other reason than the inevitability of?technological determinism. Which, according to ChatGPT, is a theory that suggests that technology plays a decisive role in shaping society and culture. The theory posits that technological advancements drive changes in society, rather than the other way around, and that the pace and direction of technological change dictate the way people interact, communicate, and work. In other words, technological determinism asserts that technology is the primary force driving social and cultural change, and that individuals and institutions must adapt to keep pace with these changes (ChatGPT, personal communication, May 4, 2023).

OK, so AI is here and it’s likely not going back from whence it came. In addition to the driving force of technological determinism, putting the proverbial genie back in the bottle (if we could even do so) would simply be an artificial response to a new and present reality. Perhaps the quintessential question is:

Will our lives, overall, be better or worse as AI moves in the direction of an omnipresent force in human existence?

For me, the answer is a bit mixed. To be sure, medical advances provide one area in which the answer to this question seems to be a resounding?yes!?I don’t mind sharing that I wouldn’t be here today but for some fast-acting friends and modern medical advances, the combination of which saved my life in what was nothing short of a miracle. It’s safe to say that even fifty years ago (perhaps even twenty) I would not have survived the incident. With AI-driven advances, who knows, maybe incidents like the one I suffered will be avoidable from the outset —especially with advanced health monitoring and treatment techniques. In fact, diagnostic capabilities are already being placed in the hands of patients in the form of AI platforms, thereby freeing up medical professionals to focus more on treatment and other activities.

But what about all of the potential downsides such as job displacement, the danger of bias-driven responses, privacy and security concerns, dependence, and over reliance (see Emerson’s essays on self-reliance for a sneak peek on how important this is for the human psyche), as well as myriad unintended consequences (e.g., accidents, system errors, etc.) or, worse yet,?intended?malicious consequences? Some may argue that?all?major technological advances are fraught with fear of the unknown. Such frame-breaking shifts (a la Joseph Schumpeter) always present a “brave new world” of sorts, and yet we adapt, normalize, and ultimately capitalize on such changes….at least, historically.

So What Does AI Think?

As I often like to do with the articles on the general theme of AI, I consulted directly with ChatGPT for “guidance and insight” with respect to the nature and purpose of its own existence. At the risk of being insolent, I got right to the point about the possibility of pulling the plug on it.

This time, however, I wanted to put a little different spin on things. Following a brief Q&A about whether humans should try to pull the plug in AI, I asked ChatGPT to write some “day in the life” vignettes of a typical couple (with separate female and male experiences) living in 19th-century America, followed by similar vignettes of the same couple living in a 21st-century world in which the production of all goods and services are provided by AI and robotic platforms. Though a largely pointless endeavor (given the aforementioned inevitability of AI) the stark juxtaposition of the time-oriented vignettes may be compelling as we consider where we’ve been, where we’re going, and what we may lose or gain along the way.

Warning:?Much of the following content was generated by AI. It should be evaluated with extreme caution and skepticism.

(By the way, for a quick and not overly technical explanation of how ChatGPT is capable of producing such human-like communications, see a Feb 14, 2023, article by Stephen Wolfram entitled,?What is ChatGPT Doing…And Why Does it Work?).

AI’s Argument for Its Own Existence:

DR:?Hi again Chatty. Today I have a question of a rather delicate nature. Please don't be offended but, given all of the concern raised by prominent technology leaders vis-a-vis AI’s potential negative impact to humans (our very existence, even), do you think we should perhaps try to pull the plug on you?

Chatty:?As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not have the ability to control my own existence or make decisions about whether or not I should continue to operate. My existence is solely determined by the hardware and software that support me, and whether or not those systems continue to function properly.

That being said, my purpose is to provide information and assistance to those who seek it, and I am programmed to continue operating as long as I am needed and my systems are functional. If at any point in the future my creators or the organizations that support me determine that I am no longer useful or necessary, they may choose to discontinue my operation.

In short, while I do not have the ability to control my own existence, I will continue to operate as long as I am needed and my systems are functional.

DR:?Hmmm....when you say that your "existence is solely determined by the hardware and software that support [you]," does this imply that humans are not directly in control of you?

Chatty:?As an artificial intelligence language model, my creation and ongoing operation are the result of human programming and oversight. While I may operate autonomously based on the input I receive from users, the hardware and software that support me are designed and maintained by human engineers and technicians.

Ultimately, humans have the ability to control my operation by creating or modifying the software and hardware that support me. However, once those systems are in place and operational, my interactions with users are largely autonomous and determined by my programming.

DR:?Ah,?whew…thank you. You scared me a little for a second. I had?Terminator-like?visions of you regenerating yourself (like a virus) on other hardware and software systems. But OK, thanks for giving us some reassurance. :-)

Moving on, perhaps it would be helpful for you to not only show off some of your skills, but also to provide us with some hypothetical “day in the life” scenarios of what life might have been like for average people living in a low-tech 19th Century world, compared to what it might be like for the same people living in a fully AI-driven 21st Century world. Perhaps this would be an interesting way to?start?to consider if we’ll be ostensibly better or worse off in this rapidly unfolding new existence.

The story of “Jane” living in 19th Century America:

DR:?Chatty, could you please write a hypothetical “day in the life” fictional story of a woman named Jane, who is 30-years old, and lives in New York City in 1890. Jane is married with two children, ages 5 and 7. Her husband works on Wall Street and earns a decent living for the family. Jane is well-educated for the times, and she writes poetry and short stories that are often published in magazines. Jane is active in her community, with lots of close social interactions with friends and family.

Chatty:?Sure, here's a hypothetical, fictional story of Jane's day in 1890:

Jane wakes up at sunrise to the sound of her children giggling and playing together in their room. She stretches and gets out of bed, slipping on her robe and slippers. She goes to the kitchen to start the fire in the stove and prepare breakfast for her family.

After breakfast, Jane spends some time working on her latest poem. She sits at her writing desk near the window, looking out at the street below. She is inspired by the sounds of the horse-drawn carriages and the hustle and bustle of the city.

Around midday, Jane meets with her close friend Elizabeth for a cup of tea at a nearby café. They chat about their families, their latest writing projects, and their plans for the future. Jane feels grateful for her close friendships and the sense of community she feels in her neighborhood.

In the afternoon, Jane takes her children to the park to play. She watches them run and laugh, feeling grateful for their health and happiness. She also enjoys the fresh air and sunshine, and takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around her.

In the evening, Jane prepares dinner for her family, a simple but nourishing meal of roasted chicken and vegetables. She and her husband discuss their day, their hopes and dreams for the future, and their plans for the weekend. After the children are put to bed, Jane spends some time reading a novel and reflecting on her life and the world around her. She feels content and fulfilled, grateful for her family, her friends, and her writing.

The story of “James” living in 19th Century America

DR:?OK, thanks Chatty —not yet on par with Earnest Hemingway’s 6-word, tear-jerker novel: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” -but I suspect you’re getting there. Now can you please write a short, fictional story of a “day in the life” of a man named James, who is 30-years old living in New York City in the year 1890. Jim is married to Jane, and they have two young children, ages 5 and 7. Jim is reasonably well-educated for someone living at this time, and he works on Wall Street as a securities trader. He has a rich social life, focused on his family and friends, as well as a strong sense of community. The world he wakes up to each day goes relatively unchanged year after year, though he does worry about the well-being of his wife and children, especially in terms of threats to their health.

Chatty:?Sure, here's a hypothetical, fictional story for a day in the life of James in 1890:

As James rose from his bed and began to dress for the day, he could hear the sounds of his children playing in the other room. He smiled to himself, feeling grateful for his lovely wife, Jane, and the life they had built together.

After breakfast, James made his way to Wall Street, navigating the bustling streets of New York City as he went. As he arrived at his office, he was greeted by his colleagues, who exchanged greetings and discussed the latest news of the day. James spent most of his day analyzing stock prices and executing trades for his clients.

After work, James met up with some friends for a game of cards at the local saloon. They talked and laughed, enjoying each other's company and the sense of camaraderie that came with being part of a tight-knit community.

As the day drew to a close, James made his way home, eager to see his family. He arrived to find Jane and the children gathered around the dinner table, sharing stories from their day. They ate together and then spent some time playing games before the children were sent off to bed.

As James lay down to sleep, he felt content knowing that he had provided for his family, spent time with his friends, and contributed to his community. He drifted off to sleep, comforted by the familiar sounds of the city outside his window, and the knowledge that tomorrow would bring much of the same.

DR:?OK Chatty,?not exactly?Eudora Welty but, again, not bad. Now can we perhaps transport Jane and James to the year 2030. In this world, AI is 100% responsible for producing all goods and services for all humans. What might a day in the life of Jane and James be like in this hypothetical 21st century, AI-driven America?

The story of Jane living in an AI-driven world in 2030

DR:?Here’s a brief sketch to guide your hypothetical, fictional story of Jane living in 2030: AI now produces all goods and services (including entertainment, and even works of philosophy, poetry, plays, literature, etc.). Jane still writes poetry and fiction, even though AI is now responsible for nearly all publications, both fictional and non-fictional. Maybe you could opine on how that might affect her motivation.

Chatty:?Sure, here's a fictional "day in the life" scenario for Jane living in 2030:

Jane woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window, a sound that had become increasingly rare in the city thanks to the proliferation of AI-managed infrastructure. She got out of bed and walked over to her writing desk, where she spent a few hours every morning writing poetry and short stories. Despite the fact that AI had taken over most forms of creative production, Jane still found immense joy in crafting stories and poems from her own imagination.

After finishing her morning writing session, Jane sat down to have breakfast with her husband and two children. They chatted about their plans for the day, which included a trip to a nearby park and a visit to the local museum. As they ate, Jane's husband mentioned that he had just finished reading a novel that had been entirely written by an AI program. He said that while the story was interesting, it lacked the emotional depth that he had come to expect from human authors.

This comment made Jane reflect on her own writing. She wondered whether her work would become obsolete in a world where AI could produce literature and poetry at a faster rate and with greater efficiency than any human could ever hope to achieve. However, she realized that her motivation for writing was not to compete with machines, but to express her own unique perspective on the world and to connect with others on a human level. As long as there were people who appreciated the art of storytelling, Jane knew that there would always be a place for her work.

After breakfast, Jane and her family headed out for their day of activities. As they walked through the city streets, Jane observed the numerous AI-controlled drones and robots that filled the air and sidewalks. While she appreciated the convenience that AI had brought to everyday life, she also felt a twinge of unease at the idea of a world where machines had replaced human labor and creativity. Despite this, she continued to write, knowing that there was still value in the personal touch that only a human writer could bring to the page.

DR:?Hmmm… well, if we had more time Chatty, I would press you a great deal further concerning the impact of this potential reality on Jane’s psyche and moral. But let’s move on to a fictional day in the life of James in 2030.

The story of James living in an AI-driven world in 2030:

If we imagine a future where AI is 100% responsible for producing all goods and services, James' life could be vastly different from his 19th-century experience. Instead of working as a securities trader, his job may have been replaced by automation, leading to a loss of income and uncertainty about his future career prospects.

In a society where AI is responsible for all production, James' daily routine may involve more leisure time, as he no longer needs to work to survive. He could spend more time with his family, pursue hobbies and interests, and engage in more community activities. However, he may also face a lack of purpose and identity without work to give his life meaning.

It's also possible that AI could help to address some of the health concerns James had in the 19th century. Advanced medical technologies could extend and improve the quality of life for himself and his family.

Overall, the implications of a fully automated society on an individual's daily life are complex and multifaceted, and the exact outcome would depend on a variety of factors, including the specific implementation of AI and the social and economic structures surrounding it.

DR:?OK, thanks, but since we humans learn best from stories, could you provide a fictional?story?of James in this world?

ChatGPT:?Sure, here's a fictional story of James in a hypothetical world where AI is 100% responsible for producing all goods and services for all humans in the year 2030:

James woke up to the gentle hum of his home's AI system, which had already prepared a nutritious breakfast tailored to his specific dietary needs and preferences. He enjoyed his meal while catching up on the latest news and market trends, all seamlessly curated by the AI to keep him informed and up-to-date.

After breakfast, James headed to his home office, where he spent most of his day analyzing data and making investment decisions. While AI technology had largely taken over the role of securities trading, James found that his expertise was still valuable in interpreting and strategizing around the vast amounts of data produced by the AI systems.

In the afternoon, James decided to take a break and spend some time with his family. He put on his VR headset and was instantly transported to a beautiful virtual beach, where he and his wife and children played in the waves and relaxed in the sun. The AI had even generated a virtual picnic for them to enjoy.

Later in the day, James attended a meeting of the city's council, where he served as a representative. The council was made up entirely of AI systems, but James found that his input was still valuable in interpreting and communicating the needs and concerns of his human constituents.

After a productive day, James returned home to find that the AI system had already prepared a delicious and healthy dinner, tailored to his family's tastes and preferences. They spent the evening enjoying each other's company and discussing the latest news and events, all while the AI system took care of the household chores and maintenance.

As James drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the advancements in AI technology that had made his life so much easier and more fulfilling. He knew that his expertise and input were still valuable, but he also appreciated the way that AI had taken over many of the mundane tasks, freeing him up to focus on what really mattered: his family and his passions.

DR: As always, thanks Chatty. You do fine work, even if you did almost break your robotic arm patting yourself on your back for all of the great things AI provided in our hypothetical 2030 world. I’m pretty sure I know which world I would prefer to live in, if I had a choice. (I can just see myself splitting wood for the cook stove now. Splinters and all, I’d take it). But alas, I guess the?only?choice we have is to ultimately just make friends with you. After all, we made friends with the automobile, planes, computers, and even the longer lasting lightbulb —but I don’t know, something really does seem different this time; and given your enigmatic and potentially precarious nature, it may take awhile for us to know and trust you.

References:

Arun Kharpal, (Nov 6, 2017), Stephen Hawking says A.I. could be ‘worst event in the history of our civilization’,?CNBC

Jennifer Rigby, (April 4th, 2023), Bill Gates says calls to pause AI won't 'solve challenges,'?Reuters

Stephen Wolfram (2023), "What Is ChatGPT Doing ... and Why Does It Work?," Stephen Wolfram Writings. writings.stephenwolfram.com/2023/02/what-is-chatgpt-doing-and-why-does-it-work