Chapter 1: The AI Dilemma

In today’s world, there seems to be an overwhelming apprehension about the potential threats posed by the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. One prevalent concern I've encountered is:

"Wow, look at that! This AI can create seemingly coherent essays just by analyzing word patterns and generating one plausible word after another. How will educators distinguish original work from AI-generated content?"

If this worry resonates with you, I have some insights to share.

Certainly, there are risks associated with AI's capabilities. However, this isn’t a novel phenomenon.

Here’s an excerpt from the mystery novel The Seven Suspects, penned by Michael Innes in 1936. It’s worth noting that Innes was a professor, and the character Gott, who speaks in this passage, is also an academic.

“And your comments on the text,” Mr. Gott asserted, “are just a jumble.”

“Yes, Gott,” Mike replied meekly.

“You see, Mike, you really don’t have any real intellect.”

“No, of course not,” Mike said.

“You should just focus on the surface and write quite well. You write nicely.”

“Yes,” Mike said, somewhat uncertain.

“Avoid deep thinking, and you’ll succeed. In fact, you’ll go far.”

Gott’s counsel could just as easily apply to contemporary chatbots as it did to Gott's fictional student in 1936. The sentiment remains: “You don’t have any real intellect. Just stick to the surface, write well, and you’ll thrive.”

I reference Gott’s guidance in my online book The Big Ideas in Software Development, as over my four-decade career in corporate Information Technology, I’ve observed many managers and analysts seemingly adhering to the same mantra: focus on the surface, avoid deep thought, and you'll succeed—indeed, you'll thrive!

The truth is, modern AI tools aren’t pioneering anything groundbreaking. They replicate what countless individuals have done for years, attempting to conform and gain approval by echoing the same repetitive phrases they’ve absorbed from others.

If you seek a present-day example of this trend, look no further than the rhetoric produced by Donald Trump, often echoed by other Republican figures and amplified by networks like Fox News. (This phenomenon is similarly found on the left, especially in the name of political correctness).

So, is there a risk associated with such discourse?

Absolutely! By sticking to surface-level chatter, you may fit in and occasionally be correct, yet you can also face significant pitfalls. Like chatbots, you may exhibit unwarranted confidence in your assertions, even when you lack true understanding!

How can we shield ourselves, both individually and collectively, from the fallout of this superficiality, whether it originates from AI or human sources?

1. Value Authenticity: Prioritize listening to those who express genuine thoughts and experiences, rather than simply regurgitating what others have said.
2. Know Your Sources: Discern which sources are trustworthy while understanding their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Embrace Uncertainty: Those uncomfortable with uncertainty often latch onto the first idea they encounter and cling to it tightly.
4. Engage in Deep Thinking: For many, writing is a crucial part of this reflective process.
5. Cultivate Expertise: Delving into specific subjects not only enhances your knowledge but also fosters a deeper respect for authentic expertise and helps you identify when it's genuinely expressed.
6. Test Your Understanding: Develop methods to verify claims and assertions.
7. Focus on What Matters: If you cannot verify the truth or authenticity of a statement, it might not significantly impact your life.
8. Limit Distractions: Our digital landscape often bombards us with empty content. Instead, consider reading a book or enjoying nature.

Ultimately, as long as we continue to prioritize superficial chatter, we will be inundated with it—whether it comes from genuine individuals, AI systems, or even geese, as illustrated above.

The first video, "AI Just Changed Everything … Again," dives into the transformative impact of AI on our daily lives, shedding light on both its potential benefits and inherent risks.

The second video, "Are We All Wrong About AI?" challenges common misconceptions about AI, offering a fresh perspective on its capabilities and implications for society.