To worry that AI will alter the world beyond all recognition, and not for the better?

[Appalonia]

I know it's only in its infancy but it's already created music, screenplays, works of art, photos, essays, marketing, and has the ability to create so much else which will basically erase the necessity for so many jobs, including creative ones. What will pp DO when most of us are essentially irrelevant? And what will be the purpose of life when there's no point learning a skill when AI can do it so much better, and cheaper? I was watching an interview with Elon Musk who was saying that universal basic income is the only way forward. Which is great, but, if human beings are going to become essentially redundant ( apart from purely physical jobs such as cooking, building, hairdressing, beauticians, farming etc), what will be the point of us?

This is interesting, and I mostly agree (I'm a counsellor btw!). That said, I've been recently turning to chatgpt for advice about a number of parenting issues rather than posting on here. The responses have been calm and wise, albeit anodyne, and at times of parenting stress I've felt that was a safer option than running the gauntlet on here 🤣.

It has a way to go yet - I asked Bard for a Mumsnet poem and this is what it produced.

A Mumsnet Poem

O Mumsnet, thou great and glorious site,
Where women can come to share their woes,
And find support and friendship in the night,
From those who know just what it goes.

Whether you're a new mum or a seasoned pro,
There's always someone who can offer help,
Whether it's advice on feeding or potty training,
Or just a shoulder to cry on when you're feeling down.

Mumsnet is more than just a website,
It's a community of women who care,
Who are there for each other through thick and thin,
And who will always be there to lend a hand.

So next time you're feeling lost or alone,
Remember that you're not the only one,
And that there are thousands of women on Mumsnet,
Who are just waiting to offer their support.

The Vogons would be proud of it!

That's a pretty bad poem 😂

Are they? I will google...yes I'm aware of the irony.

Just wait til you hear about crispr.

There is no stopping change, it will happen around you and eventually you and your generations way of doing things will die.

There will be positive and negative consequences to each new technology and people will adapt. Some will do well from it others will suffer because of it but nothing will halt the waves of time.

That is a fucking terrible poem. I think you are worrying unnecessarily, OP!

Do you know 'AI' actually works OP?

*how AI

Some oh i think I've seen a petition doing the rounds about stopping Crispr.

It's like the school magazine

When people start seeing AI as a resource that can address problems we have in our society, and not ‘the robots are taking over’, the better

The gap between the poor and super rich will continue to get greater and greater until the poor are all battling for the little resources available to us. I work for a bank and they’ve already brought in AI so when you message them online, it’s a robot who initially answers the web chat, without the customers realising they are talking to a robot. It’s just the start. I think the channel 4 drama Humans raised some really important theories that will probably come into being.

How would it do that?
i can see how it creates problems, not fixes them.

do things like digital twinning for, say, water pipes, come under AI?

There are NHS Trusts using AI to allow sitar waiting lists, make diagnoses, and triage people in appropriate ways. And we are not talking about a ChatBot like you get when you try and talk to a utility company. This intelligence is developed closely with doctors to ensure accuracy and safety. It means waiting lists will be shorter, doctors time will be freed up and people will get the diagnoses they need more quickly. It could literally save lives. The NHS is no longer fit for purpose, and the likes of AI won’t take over the work of HCPs but it can help alleviate problems that HCPs alone can’t solve.

Well depends on how you look at it.

Companies cut customer service agents from 10 to 5 to save money, leaving customers with long wait times.

Deploying an automated chatbot reduces wait times and allows the same 5 agents to answer the really complex queries. Result!

There's a lot of work in the world that's not going to be 'taken away'. It just doesn't get done. And now it will.

We have a shortage of teachers, carers, mental health professionals etc. All over the world not just the UK.

The problem is once profit goes to the few, how will this be shared?

Btw AI is not the cause of the social contract 'do job, get money' breaking. Regardless of it the accumulation of wealth gives more rewards now than an income. That has to be fixed regardless.

So many technologies in the past have altered human existence immeasurably. This will definitely be the next one!

Youre 100% right. It could be the next big shift and would change so much.

The NHS example I can see - if it works, great.

the "Companies cut customer service agents from 10 to 5 to save money, leaving customers with long wait times" - this is usually about paying someone on £1million + even more, so to me, the answer is, stop reducing staff to line the pockets of the already high earners, have more humans available so humans feel happier in the first place.

it does all lead to a very horrible "us and them" society. I can see that digital twinning might save a worker going to check something in the sewage system. But then that's more job losses.

However, if you are an artist for example, and also disabled so your ability to get a job and earn money is very limited, then AI is very much taking away some peoples reason for living, because what is the point if you make wonderful art and AI tools scrape (steal) the internet for images

As a sentient being you can surely find a purpose in your life

We're going the same way as the horse did, after steam power and the industrial revolution.

I think physical jobs will last longest though - caring, cleaning, animal care - it's harder to create a truly dexterous machine than a program that "thinks".

I've not heard of Crispr, can someone please enlighten me?

I'm admittedly a late adopter of new technology, so always wary, but the rise of AI does scare me. It's suddenly everywhere and I can't tell what's real or fake anymore. I shared a picture recently of the pope in the puffy white coat and didn't even suspect that it was AI generated. Surely it will continue to learn and become more intelligent and who monitors/ police's it all?

The problem is our leadership is so weak ( globally it feels) and power feels in the hands of the elite with dubious morals. It has so much potential for good, but just as much potential for bad. Look at how we handled a global pandemic and how we are sleepwalking in climate breakdown. I have no faith in those in power to do good anymore.

I'm a healthcare professional with a very physical, hands on job which I think would be hard to replace with AI, but the implications for changing the job market are huge. It would be good to hear solid stategies and investment in this new digital revolution to futureproof our workforce. I suspect it will be like the coal mines closures of the 1980s. People and communities left behind.

@Appalonia Crispr is gene editing software. I think you can get it on Amazon (although you'd still need specialist knowledge to be able to use it). In theory, you could create a superbug with it, or start the next pandemic.