#149 - We're Back With a Brilliant Guestpost. Are You Ready for Future? Hereās something that might surprise you: the best way to understand AI isnāt to ignore it.
But itās also not to read a hundred articles or take a ten-week course.
I think the best way to use AI is when you know the actual content. If I plug in something about self-publishing or marketing, I can easily spot errors and inconsistencies as well as any info gaps. Since I know the topic, I can update whatever AI gives me or ask it to include more about something it only mentioned. Itās a tool and itās pretty good at writing clean and concise copy which you can then adapt for your own use cases.
I like this quote from the article: You wonāt know what itās capable of or what it canāt do until youāve played with it, tested it, and seen how it works in your world
So many people are bitching, holding their pitchforks and ready to burn anyone who uses AI at all. In my opinion, if writing is bad or art is awful, it weeds itself out. The people that run articles through AI checkers are missing the point. If you canāt tell itās AI, why do you care? Did you enjoy what you read? Was it helpful? Did it make sense?
Further, AI does way more than write articles. Iāve used it for clarifying my business plans, creating better processes, setting up attainable goals, and even understanding the tax laws in my state. Personally Iāve asked it to read through my text messages to see how I could have responded better and also asked me to adjust responses I might send so I donāt offend the recipient. Really itās great for all kinds of things. The other day I needed code for a button on my website and BAMādone. Its resized images and video code too in a matter of seconds. I still have to use my brain and use it in my way for it to be used well but I am all for AI.
People who use AI are not losers. They are adapting to a world thatās ever changing and finding ways to improve their industry and work.
That's very well put, Michelle! I agree on all counts. The only thing I would add is the recognition of potential AI harms -- since it is a powerful tool, it can also be used powerfully for nefarious purposes.
But then, it also still boils down to the same point. In order for people to understand how AI can potentially harm, they have to engage with it, learn it, and think about it in the right contexts.
People who contribute to the shape of social opinions about AI should know what it is and it isn't capable of. Just as lawyers crafting laws about AI should understand the social, legal, technical, and ethical implications of the technology.
Standing by in the sidelines yet castigating people who use AI for good is one of the worst response to this technology.
I definitely agree with that especially now where books are being āfedā into AI without author approval or itās stealing artwork to use. Thereās a line for sure. And people will always use anything to do harm. Email is one way bad actors do harm but we still use it. I think there needs to be some safety procedures but doesnāt mean AI itself is bad.
I learned a lot in this piece. Thanks so much for sharing. I recently started using AI with my writing to make it sound better. I do the outline, notes, and put all of my heart and soul into the piece, along with all the relevant research, and then I put it in AI, and it comes out so nice. I also use it for research when looking for character names for my novels. I just put it in Gemini, say, Hey Gemini give me 10 names of a vampire slayer who is young, good-looking, and is new to this world, and maybe a bit naive. It always gives me some decent results. I just picked a few characteristics to start with. My friend has turned me onto AI with this, and I use it to aid me in my work, which I have come to the realization is ok, as I am still the man behind the words. Fantastic piece. Thanks so much for sharing and your enlightenment. Blessings.
Bill, thank you so much for this comment. I'm happy to hear you could integrate AI in your workflow and helps you with better outcomes. Doing the right way, AI will produce and improve your own thoughts. Not just repeating what was said already a thousand times the same way...
Yes it does save me loads of time. I couldnāt agree with you more on this. Yes I was one of those writers that cringed when I heard AI and what it is being used for. I also agree though AI can be our ally and it is all how you use the tool. After all we are still humans feeding the data into it. Thanks agan for this fantastic post you shared from James. Blessings friend. :) :)
It sure is. You know how I felt about AI for awhile but I am learning it can be an asset and assistant rather than my foe. It is all how you use it. :) :)
Thank you, Bill!! That's such a great use of AI for creative writing. When used well (when you're still the man behind the words), it can really boost your writing.
I second what Daniel said, as I was saying previously in my answer to Daniel's post. It is about how we use the tool as we are feeding the data into it. It saves me tons of time, too. Thanks for sharing such fantastic insights on this topic. Well written.
AI is widely misunderstood and hugely overestimated. I've been involved in such systems in my career as a scientist. Based on personal experience, here are my two cents (in form of two articles) on AI:
āThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Artificial Intelligenceā
These arguments are really well-laid out! You've given a more coherent reasoning to something I've always known: that AI are tools, and that people should stop fearing or glorifying it, it it'll become dangerous.
I think the best way to use AI is when you know the actual content. If I plug in something about self-publishing or marketing, I can easily spot errors and inconsistencies as well as any info gaps. Since I know the topic, I can update whatever AI gives me or ask it to include more about something it only mentioned. Itās a tool and itās pretty good at writing clean and concise copy which you can then adapt for your own use cases.
I like this quote from the article: You wonāt know what itās capable of or what it canāt do until youāve played with it, tested it, and seen how it works in your world
So many people are bitching, holding their pitchforks and ready to burn anyone who uses AI at all. In my opinion, if writing is bad or art is awful, it weeds itself out. The people that run articles through AI checkers are missing the point. If you canāt tell itās AI, why do you care? Did you enjoy what you read? Was it helpful? Did it make sense?
Further, AI does way more than write articles. Iāve used it for clarifying my business plans, creating better processes, setting up attainable goals, and even understanding the tax laws in my state. Personally Iāve asked it to read through my text messages to see how I could have responded better and also asked me to adjust responses I might send so I donāt offend the recipient. Really itās great for all kinds of things. The other day I needed code for a button on my website and BAMādone. Its resized images and video code too in a matter of seconds. I still have to use my brain and use it in my way for it to be used well but I am all for AI.
People who use AI are not losers. They are adapting to a world thatās ever changing and finding ways to improve their industry and work.
That's very well put, Michelle! I agree on all counts. The only thing I would add is the recognition of potential AI harms -- since it is a powerful tool, it can also be used powerfully for nefarious purposes.
But then, it also still boils down to the same point. In order for people to understand how AI can potentially harm, they have to engage with it, learn it, and think about it in the right contexts.
People who contribute to the shape of social opinions about AI should know what it is and it isn't capable of. Just as lawyers crafting laws about AI should understand the social, legal, technical, and ethical implications of the technology.
Standing by in the sidelines yet castigating people who use AI for good is one of the worst response to this technology.
I definitely agree with that especially now where books are being āfedā into AI without author approval or itās stealing artwork to use. Thereās a line for sure. And people will always use anything to do harm. Email is one way bad actors do harm but we still use it. I think there needs to be some safety procedures but doesnāt mean AI itself is bad.
Exactly! Thatās such a healthy perspective to have.
Great article. I've learned a lot about AI from you and Daniel. It's an amazing assistant and creative sounding board.
You just have to remember that you, the human, makes the final decision.
Spot on.
I learned a lot in this piece. Thanks so much for sharing. I recently started using AI with my writing to make it sound better. I do the outline, notes, and put all of my heart and soul into the piece, along with all the relevant research, and then I put it in AI, and it comes out so nice. I also use it for research when looking for character names for my novels. I just put it in Gemini, say, Hey Gemini give me 10 names of a vampire slayer who is young, good-looking, and is new to this world, and maybe a bit naive. It always gives me some decent results. I just picked a few characteristics to start with. My friend has turned me onto AI with this, and I use it to aid me in my work, which I have come to the realization is ok, as I am still the man behind the words. Fantastic piece. Thanks so much for sharing and your enlightenment. Blessings.
Bill, thank you so much for this comment. I'm happy to hear you could integrate AI in your workflow and helps you with better outcomes. Doing the right way, AI will produce and improve your own thoughts. Not just repeating what was said already a thousand times the same way...
You are very welcome friend. I agree wholeheartedly.
Yes it does save me loads of time. I couldnāt agree with you more on this. Yes I was one of those writers that cringed when I heard AI and what it is being used for. I also agree though AI can be our ally and it is all how you use the tool. After all we are still humans feeding the data into it. Thanks agan for this fantastic post you shared from James. Blessings friend. :) :)
Thank you so much for adding your opinion to the discussion. I really appreciate it. And as we can see, the discussion is absolutely needed.
It sure is. You know how I felt about AI for awhile but I am learning it can be an asset and assistant rather than my foe. It is all how you use it. :) :)
Thank you, Bill!! That's such a great use of AI for creative writing. When used well (when you're still the man behind the words), it can really boost your writing.
I second what Daniel said, as I was saying previously in my answer to Daniel's post. It is about how we use the tool as we are feeding the data into it. It saves me tons of time, too. Thanks for sharing such fantastic insights on this topic. Well written.
Totally agree with you Bill. James is an absolute pro and an amazing partner for guest posts. Thanks again, James.
Yes James is a true wizard with this stuff. He is knowledgeable and really breaks down the many benefits of using AI. Well written James. :) :)
Exactly, itās about the proper useā¦
AI is widely misunderstood and hugely overestimated. I've been involved in such systems in my career as a scientist. Based on personal experience, here are my two cents (in form of two articles) on AI:
āThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Artificial Intelligenceā
(A critical analysis)
https://open.substack.com/pub/bernhardexplores/p/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of?r=3oqs68&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
and
āWhy AI Systems are NOT Intelligentā
(Strictly speaking, they are really stupid)
https://open.substack.com/pub/bernhardexplores/p/why-ai-systems-are-not-intelligent?r=3oqs68&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
These arguments are really well-laid out! You've given a more coherent reasoning to something I've always known: that AI are tools, and that people should stop fearing or glorifying it, it it'll become dangerous.