Generative AI - Chapter 1 [The beginning, context leading to singularity]

Purpose this article is to educate a common human on the world-wide phenomena of Generative AI, namely ChatGPT and the equivalent systems being created by leading trillion $ companies (Microsoft, Google, Amazon ++ ). For a wave that is set to create more impact than any other phenomena in history of humankind, yet.

The distinction:

To put things in prospective:

• This is the first such major phenomena since first computers ABC (1937-42) and ENIAC (1945) were invented.
• Since the first electronic computer to now, only way of interacting with computer was through its own language - Initially binary, then to programming languages. Basically, we needed a computer programmer to talk to the computer and have it do certain actions.
• If this progression continues this way for at least few years, human civilization timeline can be distinguished into 3 simple milestones. 1. BCE vs AD 2. Before & after computers 3. Before & after generative AI.
• #2 only exists as precursor for #3 - with #3 overshadowing everything else.

What can ChatGPT can do today [2023 April]

1. A human can interact with the computer like interacting with other humans, and computer would converse like other human would (NLP). This is not very new, you see NLP in many voice assistants like Alexa/Cortana or cloud based NLP models that are helping customer support functions that can translate natural human language and in some cases respond too.
2. The computer that responds like human, knows anything & everything that’s to be known - From poetry to cooking recipes - coding in number of languages to clearing BAR/SAT exams. From content generation to sentiment analysis.

It can mimic your voice in a way even your parents can't distinguish its not you, and videos mimicking your body flawlessly in any existing video (deep fake). Basically, you are talking to a computer that has expert level of proficiency in almost everything that is to be known.

This is NEW!

1. The massive training & processing power that’s behind this model started demonstrating qualities such as prediction, context realization & continuation of conversation. Qualities that surprised even the inventors of GPT. This is now reaching level of its own consciousness. This is new and evolving!

Why is this critical that we understand this as clearly as need for oxygen & food to thrive!

In general, any inventor is able to specify capability of their inventions and operating range with reasonable predictability. In case of GPT, inventors are learning the possibilities as we speak and are unable to predict where this will lead to.

This behavor is only parallel to living beings, mainly humans. With unlimited possibilities on where they will end up in 5 years from now! How the neurons in the brain will hardwire to enable certain capabilities and then consequences. Like how parents can only train but can't exactly predict a child's future abilities, GPT AI is surprising its creators each week on what it can do now and in future.

1. Pls remember, humans being are in works for over 6million years and the modern civilization we see today has been around for 6-7 centuries. If we built a system that is demonstrating similar capabilities in first few years of its development, what can it do 5-10 years from now, let alone a century from now. This is extremely amazing, exciting and scary at the same time!
2. Also, this is not the first time a ground breaking invention or discovery happened that shook the humanity and invalidated their belief systems and re-wrote books. But this IS the first time, something is attempting to match human capabilities of reasoning, consciousness & thinking and that’s looks like a milestone that comes before point of no return or singularity.

Meanwhile, the meaning of singularity as described by ChatGPT:

"The singularity refers to a hypothetical point in the future when artificial intelligence (AI) will become so advanced that it surpasses human intelligence and becomes capable of designing and improving upon itself at an exponential rate, creating a runaway technological progress that is difficult for humans to comprehend or control.

The idea of the singularity is closely associated with the concept of technological singularity, which was first proposed by mathematician and computer scientist Vernor Vinge in 1993. Some proponents of the singularity believe that it represents a major turning point in human history, after which the world will be radically transformed by technology, while others warn of the potential dangers of such a development, such as the loss of control over AI or the displacement of humans by increasingly intelligent machines."

Hence, it's important for us to understand this because, this WILL impact more people on this planet than any other phenomenon did before. Will it be for good or not, time will tell, but it will impact everyone.

Elon Musk's words on how impactful & dangerous AI can be : "I Tried To Warn You" - Elon Musk LAST WARNING (2023)

Sam Altman's interview with ABC on Risks & How AI will reshape the society: OpenAI CEO, CTO on risks and how AI will reshape society

What can I do as a common human!?

You probably are saying - "You now sound like a cult leader and managed to scare me with apocalyptic possibility. But I am more worried about my job & probably life tomorrow or next 1 year. What do I do next"?

Whether you are a student, banker, content writer, programmer or a C-suite leader - You will need to understand & track what's going on closely. How you would you do it?

Stay tuned for my Generative AI - Chapter 2 for guidance what you could do to ride the wave and "try to" stay on top!

Note: This article is NOT generated by GPT, typed by human with relevant context & imagination except for sections mentioned as generated by AI.

#chatgpt #ai #openai #bard #regenerativeai #singularity #artificialintelligence