Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the AI

The recent rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of technology with widespread societal and technological implications. From streamlining business operations to changing how we educate our students to reshaping creative endeavours, AI, particularly generative AI , has proven its transformative potential. However, as we stand at this precipice of change, it is crucial to understand and consider the possible impacts.

Recently there has been A LOT of fear and adverse reporting around AI use and its potential impacts. Based on much of the rhetoric in the mainstream press, Generative AI is the first sign of the apocalypse. We have seen many references to Terminator-style SkyNets , calls by individuals , organisations and governments for urgent regulation and fake articles reported as news covering AI turning on its masters . It is all a bit much, really. I wanted to share my personal thoughts on the situation.

It's not really all that new!

The world's press would have you believe that November last year , with the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI was the birth of this #AI revolution. This is far from the truth. Development in AI has been running for decades. Tools like Grammarly have used language models for years, helping us all write better emails and essays. Open-source projects like PyTorch and OpenCV have existed since the early 2000s.

What has changed though in the past 6 months has been the massive lowering of the "barrier to entry" for these tools. AI's are now becoming easier to use and cheaper to train. Instead of complex interfaces, we have simple "discussions" taking place. A Large Language Model (LLM) that used to take tens of thousands of dollars and months of work is now achieved for under $30 and a simple day of development. This recent rapid shift in adoption has woken us all to the AI risks and potentials while embedding the discussion of AI firmly in the zeitgeist!

The Promise of AI

AI has shown promising advancements in various fields. In customer service, conversational AI tools built on LLM's like ChatGPT have efficiently handled a significant portion of interactions, freeing human personnel for more complex queries.

Generative AI has penetrated the creative sphere, aiding in the generation of text , visual content , entire presentations and even music , thus sparking new avenues for artistic exploration. The world of coding has also seen a significant impact with AI tools now able to generate code from prompts as well as helping to identify and fix vulnerabilities and flaws. This enables coders to focus more on what they want to build and less time focused on the how.

AI is proving, in only 5 months of development and with the rapid deployment of tools by the likes of Canva , 微软 , 谷歌 and GitHub , that with lower barriers to entry to tasks that were either laborious or overly technical, users can now generate new, high-quality content faster and easier than ever before. Not by replacing the user but by augmenting them!

AI and Job Displacement

Despite these exciting prospects, AI's impact on the job market is a growing concern. A significant number of job losses have already been attributed to AI, particularly in the tech sector. AI replacing human roles has been reported, hinting at a potentially disruptive trend in employment. A recent report by economics advisory firm Mandala found the occupations expected to be the most affected by AI are:

1. Telemarketers
2. Tertiary Educators
3. Social Professionals
4. Intelligence & Policy Analysts
5. Insurance & Betting Clerks.

It is no surprise to see education so far up the list! Statista , in their recent analysis, has estimated that AI will create 69 million new jobs but at the expense of 83 million existing ones by 2027. According to 微软 , 46% of Australian workers are worried their jobs may be replaced by an AI. This is backed by 16% of employers who are confident that AI can reduce their headcount. These are certainly scary numbers.

This is why I get frustrated when many educators and reporters describe our current transition similar to when Calculators were introduced. I instead prefer to equate our current moment in time to be more like the introduction of the Gutenberg Press . This one technological innovation did more than make life easier, it significantly changed people, cultures and environments through its existence and application. Like now, jobs were created and others disappeared. How knowledge was shared and consumed changed considerably. Education was flipped on it's head and it was, in large part, responsible for the Reformation!

The risks to education

There has also been a lot of debate in academic circles around the pro's and cons of AI in education. In contrast, we see significant benefits already in area like tutoring , critical thinking and personalisation . We see significant risks in ethics, AI-created bias , fake "hallucinations " and issues with equitable AI access between those who know and have access to effective tools and those that do not.

I have already written articles on how our assessment models have been broken for years and how AI just highlights the flaws further. These new tools have made a focus on essay-based assessment obsolete.

By using AI's like ChatGPT , Bing or Bard , the answer to many questions are at student's fingertips. While this has been the case since the widespread adoption of the internet, this AI-driven technology greatly reduces the need for student engagement to “research” an answer. With the added capability to re-write and transform content into any form requested by the student, this is the proverbial nail in the coffin of assessments with any online written component. A simple prompt can allow an AI to answer any question in moments.

The Future of AI

As AI becomes more integrated into various domains, striking the right balance between automation and human involvement will be critical to ensure that AI technologies complement human capabilities rather than replace them entirely.

Furthermore, AI governance and regulation are vital to navigating AI's potential risks and challenges. Governments, organisations, and experts must collaborate to establish guidelines and policies addressing concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and responsible AI development. Fostering interdisciplinary research and collaboration is essential to understanding and mitigating AI's ethical, legal, and social implications. But how we do this alongside rapid development is a significant challenge. In Australia, The Hon. Victor Dominello , a former NSW minister for digital government, said the gap between new technologies and regulation was so large it was nearly impossible to bridge.

By adopting a cautious and thoughtful approach while embracing innovation and responsible practices, we can shape the future of AI in a way that maximises its benefits and minimises its potential drawbacks.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

The rise of AI is undoubtedly a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it presents immense opportunities for growth and innovation. Conversely, it could lead to significant job displacement and societal shifts. As we navigate this new landscape, the key is to balance the benefits with the potential downsides.

While it is essential to recognise and address the concerns surrounding AI, it is equally important not to fear its use and adoption. AI has the potential to bring about significant positive changes in various aspects of our lives. We can unlock new opportunities for innovation, productivity, and problem-solving by leveraging AI tools and technologies.

AI has already demonstrated its ability to augment human capabilities and improve efficiency in numerous fields. By embracing AI, we can enhance decision-making processes, automate repetitive tasks, and gain deeper insights from vast amounts of data, leading to more informed, effective and practical solutions.

Moreover, it is crucial to remember that humans are at the forefront of AI development and deployment. We have the power to shape the trajectory of AI and ensure its responsible use. By prioritising ethical considerations, investing in research and development, and fostering collaboration between AI experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, we can mitigate risks and create a future where AI benefits all of humanity.

Ultimately, the key lies in striking a balance between embracing the possibilities of AI and addressing the concerns associated with its adoption. By approaching AI with a cautious and responsible mindset, we can harness its potential to drive progress, improve lives, and build a future where humans and AI work together synergistically for the betterment of society.