Over the past couple of years, the buzzphrase ‘A.I.’ or ‘artificial intelligence’ has been bandied around all over the place.
Until last year, I had a vague definition of it swimming around in my mind somewhere. When I kept hearing this term, I suddenly thought there had been groundbreaking research in the realm of ‘artificial insemination’.
But I was obviously wrong on this one!
To be honest, I hadn’t really researched what AI was properly until Chat-GPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer), Google Bard, Gemini and Jasper became household names overnight.
Suddenly, AI is now on steroids in the tech world.
When I dived a little deeper into all this multi-faceted technology, I realised that AI had been around for a lot longer.
Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are just a few examples.
Just like those frustratingly annoying conversational chatbots popping up all over our screens, trying to emulate human interaction.
Though designed to save time waiting on the phone with customer service advisers, they notoriously fail in my experience.
Given that, I’m sure you will agree that there will never be a substitute for a simple conversation with an actual person about what you really need at the time.
So, What Exactly Are We Talking About With AI?
Well, just Google the phrase yourself, and it will come up with 100s of plausible definitions broadly along the same line where computers try to replicate human behaviour.
And AI is an industry that is skyrocketing in popularity. According to Techjet, the global artificial intelligence market size was valued at $136.6 billion in 2022 and is predicted to reach $1,811.8 billion by 2030.
AI has already been used to produce content for websites, blog posts, social media posts, teaching tools (even emulating the true spoken voice in many languages), poems, song lyrics, or other important presentations you’ve been preparing for. In fact, it will help you whenever you need a writing companion.
The list is just endless.
But one thing stands to reason: You are ultimately in control. It is like your passenger who navigates you, as you always remain in the driving seat.
Remember, it’s artificial.
What Are The Pros For Me As A Writer?
We have all had those not-so-good days when kicking your brain into action is next to impossible.
And that is where these writing tools are unquestionably like gold to me. Just like Grammarly or Hemingway check my grammar, punctuation and spelling for me, they are very useful adjuncts in my writing toolbox.
Used with caution, AI writing tools act as a catalyst for getting the creative juices flowing, brainstorming ideas, conducting research and giving prompts you would never have thought of unless you phoned a friend.
And for many writers like me, without an editing team under your desk, you’re usually flying solo.
Then, there is the dreaded writer’s block, defined by Webster as “a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece”. Though there are many strategies that one can use to overcome this, as defined by Open Colleges, AI tools can help in those instances where you are struggling for inspiration.
For me, this is usually late at night, when my mind, droopy eyelids and fingers start playing tricks on my keyboard. Or on those occasions when I feel overwhelmed, especially with a pending deadline for a client.
Creation – Limitation With Frustration
Though these tools are innovative, they only streamline my writing process and make me more efficient in content generation. The computer science guru, Kai-Fu Lee, may be right to an extent in saying that:
“AI will not replace people. People using AI will replace people who don’t.”
However, human observation, sound judgement and critical thinking trump everything. These tools lack intuition and miss the subtle nuances that our brains are capable of based on life experience and emotional intelligence. In other words, they will never replace me.
We’ve all read those blogs written with humour, flair and wit to draw the reader in. Many of the responses churned out by chatbots are generic or formulaic and only make a great cure for insomnia.
AI is also dependent on the input it receives. And with a repository of misinformation everywhere, fact-checking any quoted stats is paramount to ensure they are current. At the time of writing this, in early 2023, tools like Chat-GPT only churn out data up until September 2021.
So, ask it to summarise yesterday’s worldwide news, and you will suddenly realise you are not dispensable. Well, not yet anyway.
Utilising AI In General – To Defy Or Comply?
So, does this blog add anything to all the 1000s floating around in the digital world? Probably not, you’re thinking. But as vapid and soporific as this may read, at least I wrote it using my neurons. As far as I know, no wires or silicon chips exist between my ears.
And I’d like to think I still have a few brain cells left.
Therefore, resistance will be futile if used ethically and responsibly, considering the legal complexities involved. We will have to learn to embrace it.
After all, did the world complain ad nauseam when calculators started replacing what was once considered mental arithmetic?
How did you feel when telephone landlines were replaced by portable devices? Or when e-mail replaced “snail mail”?
Fight it or not, AI is here to stay and is only the beginning. This technology has crept into every industry, including mine.
As you read, AI is evolving to help doctors fight cancer and AI robotic machines are cutting corners in modern kitchens and cooking for you.
AI may even replace your friend or partner. Try Replika if you are that way inclined and would like an AI date.
Just watch out for those “deep-fake” images, where circulating them in Australia will be considered illegal.
Even though the sceptics may believe that AI will make us more indolent, as described in the above examples, it has unarguably made life easier.
On that note, I’m off to watch that gripping Netflix documentary that magically appeared as a suggestion on my electronic device. AI technology seems like ‘Big Brother’ is watching every move I make and unfortunately, I cannot hide from it.
How about you? Has AI in all its forms become your friend or foe? And how will your career ensure you will always beat the bot?
Comments are welcome below (feel free to AI-generate them, but only if you’re game 😉).
For an extensive list of the many available AI tools, click here.
An interesting TED talk on how AI (Artificial Intelligence) could eventually influence HI (human interaction).
About the author
Dr Surrinder Singh is a medical doctor, blogger and freelance writer. He is passionate about healthcare, medicine and education and works professionally with B2B and B2C clients.
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