We don’t even call it “artificial intelligence” anymore. Everyone simply says, “AI.”
You can’t read or listen to any platform today without hearing (or seeing) information about how AI is changing our lives. There are the good things it can do along side the gigantic cost in terms of computing power and energy (associated words: Data Centers).
This post is not going to repeat what is already out there in the digital world. However, here are some observations gleaned over the past several months of reading and watching this space:
(1) Assume AI is everywhere. Images you see, articles you read, even music and videos. I’ve been highly suspicious that several of the pharmaceutical commercials that invade whatever video I’m watching are AI-generated because they are “slightly off.” A lot of of social media videos are obviously (and not-so-obviously) AI-generated.
(2) Your professionals are using AI. A growing number of attorneys are incorporating AI into their workflow system. The smart ones (and the ones who abide by ethics rules) are using a siloed system that keeps client data out of the public stream. Most case management systems have quickly adopted AI tools within their platform to provide this service. AI-assisted research and language generation save a lot of time. However, smart professionals use their highly trained brains to analyze and verify the information provided by AI. (And judges and other attorneys know the difference.)
(3) We all get duped by AI. Whether you know it or not, you have been duped by an AI image, video, or article. AI has a lot of flaws, but if you are not paying close attention, you’ll miss the flaws, inaccuracies, and fakes. There is some astonishing fake content out there. [Side note: Be particularly suspicious of a public figure who is portrayed on a video saying something that is completely out of character – “deep fake” videos to discredit a public figure are a growing evil use of AI tech.)
(4) Support the real. AI has its place, just like all technology has a place in our world. However, don’t discard the importance of the human factor. Learn the difference and the importance of human intervention in curating AI content, as well the importance of only-human content in art, literature, science, and all aspects of our lives.
(5) This is an evolutionary step. We humans are on a continuous journey. It is up to us to determine how we grow and learn from the technology we develop. Thirty years ago, cellphones were not smart, home computers were rare, and the internet was in its dial-up infancy. Where will we be thirty years from now?
PS: Other than spell-check and the AI generated image above, this post was entirely created by a human.
THIS is what technology can do – delivery of medical supplies in remote areas of Rwanda and the application of drone delivery of medical supplies on a commercial scale. Definitely worth the watch. Good context and information about the country.
While corporations (see above image) are by far the largest polluters, individuals can help to move the needle toward conservation and reduction of pollution by taking consistent action to avoid contributing to the problem, and encouraging others to join in.
TrashBlitz Austin used volunteers to collect and count trash to come up with a way to reduce the use of plastic in the city of Austin. 70% of the trash picked up consisted of single-use plastic items. One of the outcomes of this effort was the Austin Reuse Coalition with a focus on helping restaurants reduce the use of plastic.
Please do your part to reduce use of plastic, and encourage others to do so, also. If everyone eliminated plastic bottles and plastic bags from their lives, there would be an immediate and visible reduction in pollution. It has to start somewhere – let it start with us.
Well worth the watch – One of my pet peeves is seeing “GMO- Free” on products that are nowhere near GMO on the production line.
The BEST way to be environmentally responsible is to PURCHASE LESS/USE LESS of the products that are harmful to the environment (think – no single-use water bottles).
The most recyclable and recycled packaging product. The past two years saw a jump in demand for cardboard boxes (due to COVID). The video below is an interesting history of the development of this product (16 minutes and a bit technical, but very interesting).
Conversation with a Treasure of Delphi, Dan McCain. I had the chance to catch up with him, recently, and we discussed Delphi history and the Wabash & Erie Canal history, which has been a life-long passion for him. He is only two generations removed from the Wabash & Erie Canal heyday, and was born and currently lives in his family home very near the restored section of the Canal. The importance of the Canal to the economic development of Delphi and Carroll County cannot be over-emphasized.
Please enjoy this 16-minute video about this important era in Carroll County and Delphi History.
We don’t even call it “artificial intelligence” anymore. Everyone simply says, “AI.”
