Keeping Artificial Intelligence in its Place

Nobody really knows just how much Artificial Intelligence is going to change our world. It is likely to have a colossal impact, though, given the potential of the human brains behind it. And those of us who've experimented with AI apps like ChatGPT have already seen some incredible advancements, even though they're basically newborns. I can not wait to live through their growth. AI is going to open up some amazing opportunities for humankind, and I can't help but see God's hand in this gift.

When I attended the Aspen Ideas Festival last year, one of the speakers worked for Amazon Technology. He told us how he and his team were working on programs to alleviate some of the note-taking that doctors are required to do. Their goal is to automate this task with software, allowing doctors to spend more time face-to-face with their patients. Another panelist spoke about his efforts to utilize AI to perform the grunt work in finding cures for diseases. And he hopes it will also reveal aspects of the research that he misses. There was even mention that AI could help reduce the trial testing periods that the FDA requires for new drugs before they're approved for market. Admittedly, I can't remember how they plan to do it, but I distinctly remember being impressed.

I myself have already benefited from Artificial Intelligence. As a kid, I liked spell check, and now I use a more advanced program called Grammarly. The Grammarly app corrects my spelling, punctuation, grammar, and when I desire, it will suggest tonal edits. It's like having an English teacher in the room who grades my paper in real-time. I'm still responsible for generating the content, but it cuts down on the editing time, which frees me up to do more things like volunteer.

But for all the good it will do, AI's future isn't entirely rosy. I'm no idiot, and I know there will be people who will abuse the software programs and cause harm. I also recognize that when technology advances, it means lots of change— some of it uncomfortable, some of it devastating. Jobs are created, jobs are cut, money is made, money is lost, social behaviors are affected, the balance of power sometimes shifts, and so on. As we examine any major invention throughout the history of the world, we see these consequences follow. However, does that mean we shouldn't have transitioned from snail mail to the telegraph, to the telephone, to the cellphone? Should we have forgone the printing press, the sewing machine, the internal-combustion engine, the electric light, the airplane, or the internet? No way. All of these things show the might of creativity, and to me, that is utterly divine.

You see, my religion's teachings allow me to believe that God is going to let us become like Him, which means we're gonna get to know everything! Well, how can we expect to learn from Him in heaven if we aren't proving our desire to learn, create, and grow while in our mortal bodies? If all we ever do is avoid change and progress, and stand in the way of others experimenting, inventing, and changing, then we aren't really showing Him that we want to know all and have all as He has promised. The Parable of the Talents backs me up on this one. You've got to use what you've been given and expand. The other religious-related reason I embrace significant change is that my church has taught me to be valiant. What is valiancy if not courage? Is there courage in avoiding or even shunning the opportunity to learn and grow because it's hard and scary? Nope. By the way, for those of you who don't believe in a God or don't share my perspective on God, then I hope you read through this paragraph real quick so you weren't terribly bored or annoyed. On to my ideas!

My first one is a suggestion for anyone who considers themselves to be an older person:

don't brag that you won't be around to see the hardships that come with AI.

If this sounds odd to you, then I'm glad you've avoided this damaging practice, and please don't start. I mean, when has hearing from someone else that they're glad they don't have the same troubles as you do made you feel good? Probably never. Instead, consider building us up by sharing examples of how you've grown from hardship. Remind us that nothing is impossible and that we can do it. Tell us that the future is exciting and there is so much to live through. And teach us that living through hard things will prepare us to teach our own kids the same lesson. So, the next time you read a scary headline, please don't say, "I'm so glad I won't be around when the robots take over," and instead remember my suggestion.

The second idea concerns us all and is for protecting ourselves when using AI. As of right now, the Artificial Intelligence applications on the market do not have "gut feelings" or a conscience. They have not been programmed with moral codes, and even if they are someday (some AI experts are pushing for this), there's still a problem. For one, we don't all agree on what's "moral." Secondly, there will never be a way to prevent programmers from developing "bad" or irresponsible AIs. In fact, there will most surely be programs that are tasked with wreaking as much havoc as possible— unfortunately, that's one of humanity's prerogatives.

This is why,

when I use anything with AI, I picture a hammer.

I tell myself that all I'm doing is using a tool. When I ask ChatGPT a question, I refuse to use my manners. I do not converse with it with any regard for its feelings— it doesn't have any. When it responds, it always begins with a flattering remark, like: "That is such a great question," or "Thank you for clarifying... you've really helped me understand your point." I ignore that crap. I immediately jump to the second paragraph, which contains the actual information I'm seeking.

During the back-and-forth that is sometimes required while using it, I keep that mental image of a hammer front and center. This helps me remember it has no heart. It has no soul. It has no consequences for wrongdoing, it has no reward for excellence. It's an inanimate tool just like a hammer. When I use a hammer, I don't say, "May I please pick you up and nail something?" Nor do I thank it when I'm done, or make small talk with it while I'm working. I don't develop a relationship with it— I treat it as a tool. And that's how I'm treating AI, regardless of how helpful and knowledgeable it is, and most importantly, regardless of how nice it's been programmed to be to me.

I believe this safeguards me from possible deceit, manipulation, and unsound advice. It puts up a barrier, allowing me to enjoy it while remaining in complete control. After all, I think the most significant threat it will ultimately pose to humankind is convincing us — knowingly or unknowingly — to relinquish our free agency as humans: our thoughts, our emotions, our efforts, and our actions.

Something to consider.