Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) is yet to make a profound impact on our way of life. But it has already changed our future. Let's take OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT as an example. Outside of certain areas within two years of its launch, it is difficult to claim that it has changed the world as much as its promoters claim. But the possibilities its power has opened—for both good and evil—have become clear.
ChatGPT and other such tools have speeded up programming. Helping us with monotonous office tasks, accelerating scientific discoveries and inspiring people from many professions including teachers, health care providers.
On the other hand, many fear that these tools will destroy human employment, rob people of decision-making power, and make culture one-dimensional. According to critics, the most overlooked aspect of generative AI is security.
If you are a student in school or college, work in customer service, involved in software development, or regularly post on various online platforms including LinkedIn, then ChatGPT has probably made the biggest difference in your life.
For many of us, generative AI is still a curiosity or novelty. Although many predictions have been made about it and billions of dollars have been invested in it. Yet almost from its inception it has puzzled school teachers and college professors. Fearing rampant plagiarism, many schools have banned this technology without considering how it can be used in the classroom.
Tools that promise to detect plagiarism using chatgpt have also not been very effective. Rather, it has increased mistrust among teachers and students, as these tools have often misidentified even original content as AI-generated.
Education technology startups have capitalized on the hype to create generative AI tools, but their results have been mixed and many are skeptical. While students regularly use generative AI, teachers are not yet doing so. A recent survey by Education Week, a US organization that works on the education system, showed that the rate of teachers using AI tools in the classroom has not increased much in the past year.
Generative AI is also changing healthcare, but at a slower pace. The reason for this is basically human's innate skepticism. ChatGPT should not be used to diagnose health problems, OpenAI said. However, many use it as doctors or 'Dr. More successful than Google.
A recent study showed that ChatGPT Plus performed better than doctors in diagnosing the disease. Even more so than doctors who themselves diagnosed the disease with ChatGPT. The New York Times said, 'These chatbots have challenged the mindset that doctors often stick to their own decisions, even when chatbots offer a better alternative.'
For those who have adopted these tools, ChatGPT and other chatbots have started to change the 'human relationship' too. Many parents are using these bots for parenting. They are creating age-specific chore lists, planning lavish birthday parties and giving scripts to discuss 'sex education'.
While dating apps struggle to stay relevant, a startup called 'Riz' is using generative AI to aid dating, tailoring how to respond to potential mates.
Although still a small field, human AI companions are revolutionizing the world of relationships. Many are relying on AI companions for role-play, secret conversations, friendship and even love. While these apps are particularly popular among teenagers, they are also problematic.
While many don't use chatbots regularly, generative AI is now shaping our future—and raising our fears as well. A March survey by British polling firm YouGov found that 54 percent of respondents said they were wary of AI. Almost half (49 percent) are concerned.
40 percent of the respondents in this survey conducted among nearly 1,000 people said in response to another question that they were 'doubtful' about the issue and 22 percent said they were 'fear-worried' about it. Miram Vogel, chair of the US National AI Advisory Committee, said earlier this year, 'Most people are still afraid to use AI.'
Only time will tell if this hot market for generative AI will succeed or fail. But the change that generative AI like ChatGPT has ushered in—from technology to almost every field of work and across society—will be faster, it's safe to say.
References: Axios
