No need to go all AI Luddite on me.

The charm of vintage cars isn't just their timeless aesthetic appeal or the satisfying mechanics of their engines. It's also the stories they carry and the conversations they inspire. Last night, I was invited to speak about a thoroughly modern topic at a gathering of vintage car enthusiasts: Generative AI. It was an engaging meeting with the Auckland Vintage Car Club (AVCC), an enthusiastic group with a deep love for classic automobiles and, apparently, a healthy curiosity about AI technologies.

The evening began with a fun assignment: to write the club's June newsletter. I asked for ideas. I was told it needed to praise Chevys and mock Ford owners, particularly Model As. GPT-4 didn't disappoint and included a few cracking Ford jokes.

Why did the Model A Ford cross the road? Because it couldn't resist the allure of a Chevy showroom on the other side! And why don't Fords ever play hide and seek? Because no one would go looking for one!

In presenting Generative AI to a room of vintage car enthusiasts, there was a great dichotomy. Beautifully hand-crafted machines, the epitome of the human touch, and discussing a technology designed to mimic (or replace?) human creativity.

The question arose, though, of whether we could escape from the seemingly inevitable omnipresent AI. Our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, and sometimes, we yearn for a simpler era – when you could take a leisurely drive in a vintage car, leaving all the buzz of modern tech behind. That discussion further ignited my need to seek out a vintage car devoid of any modern technology. I would have to leave my phone behind when I go out driving. Perhaps a small price to pay for some much-needed tech-tranquillity?

The AVCC members were not entirely averse to all modern technology. Our conversation led us to the topic of Phoenix robots. These robots, with their impressive humanoid capabilities, spurred an interesting thought. What if one of these robots could sit in the driver's seat? Suddenly, our vintage cars become autonomous vehicles, a merging of old and new worlds!

There must be places and times for humans to enjoy being part of the world without technology. There's no need to destroy it or ban technology, or even become Amish, just deliberately make time and perhaps invest in some non-tech toys and pursuits.

Here's to more fascinating discussions with the Auckland Vintage Car Club, and to all of you, may your vintage cars always run as smoothly as a well-trained AI.