AI is a powerful tool that can be used to automate many tasks, but it cannot replace human writers. This is because AI lacks the ability to understand and express complex ideas, emotions, and creativity in the same way that humans can. Human writers have the ability to think deeply and critically about their subject matter, and to convey their thoughts and feelings through the written word in a way that resonates with readers. AI, on the other hand, is limited by the data and algorithms it has been trained on and is unable to improvise or adapt to new situations in the same way that humans can. Additionally, AI lacks the unique perspective and experiences that human writers bring to their work, which is essential for creating engaging and relatable content. In short, while AI can be a useful tool for writers, it cannot replace the creativity and originality of human writers.
But, what if I told you that the introduction you just read was written by OpenAI’s ChatGPT?
Ever since OpenAI made its chatbot available to the masses (as a free-to-use release) we’ve been hearing a lot of chatter about ChatGPT and its undeniably vast real-world applications. Touted as the most advanced AI-based chatbot we’ve ever seen, ChatGPT uses Generative Pretrained Transformer 3 (GPT-3) to offer human-like responses to your queries. The bot is based on a language learning model that’s been fed over 576GB of data about the world to understand (and subsequently, explain) a host of concepts. As long as its applications are rooted in language, the bot can help humans accomplish almost any task – be it writing complex code to create an Instagram-like application, a review of the Apple iPhone 14, or even writing Draco/Hermione fan fiction (yes, that happened).
The collective thrill over the possibility of living in a world where your literal job can be automated caused Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI to respond by saying “The GPT-3 hype is too much. AI is going to change the world, but GPT-3 is just an early glimpse."
Now, that’s scary.
Naturally, the virality of ChatGPT inspired a host of questions about whether the software could eventually replace humans. After all, even with an app that’s described as an “early glimpse” of what AI can actually do once developed properly, we’re already able to envision pawning off entry-level jobs and tasks to such bots. This is particularly true for specific language-based fields such as coding, and writing, however, we may see applications of AI in other creative fields such as art and music as well.
Recently, OpenAI’s AI-based art generator, Dall-e, also received quite a bit of attention on social media for being able to create any form of visual art based on the text you input. As long as you can imagine it, the software will generate it for you, for the low-low price of $0.02 (which is around ₹1.65) for an image with 1024×1024 pixel resolution, and $0.018 (which is around ₹0.15) for an image with 512×512 pixel resolution once you finish your free credits. Basically peanuts.
Considering that advertising and digital marketing agencies charge an arm and a leg for a single creative, using software like Dall-e could offer brands a fantastic way to save money, while also benefiting from high-quality creatives made for their audiences. This, again, does throw the notion of not needing entry-level working professionals to complete tasks in the spotlight. Of course, Dall-e does not offer brand images, yet. But, here’s a super realistic image of headphones that could be mistaken for a social media creative.
In a similar vein, a user on Twitter revealed that he built a Notes-like app in SWIFT using ChatGPT, while others have used the chatbot to create music, write e-mails, answer homework questions, write typical website content about their company’s culture, draw mindmaps on world domination, understand code by typing a query in Hinglish, and, well, the list can go on and on.
Famed entrepreneur Naval Ravikant spoke of AI’s applications as those that will supplement human tasks, rather than replace humans altogether, when he appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience 3 years ago. He explains that the AI we’re seeing is what is known as narrow AI and is based on pattern recognition. “There’s nothing approaching creative thinking,” he said, dismissing the idea that AI will take over the world in our lifetime. He further explains that humans are far from modelling general intelligence as we are still unsure of how the brain actually works.
So, AI, in other words, won’t be generating ideas any time soon, but it will certainly help you execute them better. A creative head at an agency or an editor at a publication may exercise their creativity in determining the what, however, it will be AI who will be responsible for the how. In other words, human beings will be freed up from tasks related to execution to look at big-picture tasks instead, such as strategy, creative thinking, and ideation.
The applications of ChatGPT, and other AI-based tools that will use language learning models are undoubtedly endless. One can imagine science-based tasks like running differential diagnostics to brainstorm ideas regarding what could be wrong with a patient (and then confirming the search results via tests), conducting research, building new software that can change the world and consumer behaviour, and much more. There’s absolutely no doubt that this “early glimpse” into AI’s capabilities will compel humans to completely rethink their role in society.
However, having said that, the future is not as bleak as many are expecting it to be. Productivity and the skills required to excel at various professions will be redefined to include more creative, big-thinking KPIs, rather than the ability to cross tasks off one’s list. This, of course, can be a blessing and a curse. While it encourages a more innovative line of thinking, it does take away the need to understand the basics. Using tools like Dall-e can allow people to create art they’ve only dreamed of, without picking up a single brush. A layperson like me can arguably get ChatGPT to generate code for an app and have a developer look over the same to fix potential bugs. Becoming an entrepreneur, in other words, may not require the capital investment that it does right now, provided these tools remain free.
Writing professions, too, will see a major change, with companies that commission freelancers to write branded blogs turning to AI tools to create the same in bulk, with lower operational costs to consider.
While all of these applications are certainly intriguing, there still remains a critical question to be answered: what defines credit? Does simply thinking of an idea make you a graphic designer? Does typing a query make you a content writer? Does asking for code make you a professional developer? And, most importantly, does it even matter anymore?
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