Thoughts on AI

Can AI replace people?

Recently I saw a piece of news about a simultaneous strike by screenwriters and actors, which once again sparked heated discussions about AI. AI (artificial intelligence) is a technology that trains machines to think like humans. It can do things that are considered "intelligent". It relies on a large amount of "data" for deep learning. The goal is to be able to produce things like humans. Identify patterns and then make decisions and judgments, or compile data to generate content.

The hot spot this time came from Hollywood, the heart of the global entertainment industry, and was the largest strike since 1960. One of the reasons is to protest the unfair threats posed by streaming platforms and artificial intelligence to screenwriters and actors. This is the first labor rights war between real people and AI!

Writing a script is a grueling job. Based on his own experience and keen observation, he writes creative plots and dialogues to reflect culture and people's hearts. But after AI quickly reads the playwright's classic works from a large amount of input data, it can imitate the style and mass-produce scripts. It’s so embarrassing that a flesh-and-blood screenwriter is replaced by an AI that has never been in love or had a childhood!

On the other hand, although the characters generated by AI cannot yet replace the main actors in movies and TV series, for some parts such as stand-ins, martial arts designers, extras, and voice actors, AI can produce virtual images and sounds through a large amount of video learning. In this way, how can grassroots actors be happy? The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers even made a shocking proposal to the Screen Actors Guild: In the future, studios will require the creation of digital avatars for background actors, and in exchange for a day's payment, AI-generated images can be used in film and television productions.

As everyone knows, being a stand-in, foil, or extra is a path that many of today's most popular actors have taken. Now that it is being replaced by AI, there will of course be a rebound. Moreover, the staff in the production team who take care of costumes, makeup, props, etc. for real people will also lose their jobs because AI images take care of everything.

With the rapid development of AI, it is bound to replace many industries and positions in the future. Most of the jobs that AI is expected to be able to do involve "highly repetitive" and "process standardization" tasks, such as manufacturing, agriculture, accounting, administration, bank counter operations, financial analysis, housing agency, logistics/warehouse management, automobiles or airplanes Drivers, telephone customer service, certain medical services, catering services, etc.

Question: If you go to a restaurant to eat, would you rather be served by a real person or a robot? Personal answer: "Real humans!" In addition to not being willing to tip robots, I care more about whether I enjoy the "human warmth" of reception. Having said that, many restaurants already have AI waiters taking orders and delivering food at the front desk, and maybe even robots in the kitchen. Alas, I wonder if the robot chef knows how to handle private dishes. Can he make a steamed fish to eat in a Sichuan restaurant that only has boiled fish on the menu?

▲ AI can accept ordering and delivering food, but can it really replace human interaction?

Can AI create art?

Although AI technology can significantly improve and enhance human work efficiency and capabilities, and even go further to protect the environment and humans, current AI is still not comparable to humans in many aspects. Can you accept a sermon generated by a pastor using AI and let "it" feed your soul?

As long as it involves emotions, morality, understanding, creativity, feelings, communication, aesthetics, touch, etc., I think it cannot be replaced by AI. At least I don’t believe that AI can be as talented as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael, the three Renaissance masters. AI does not know how to pursue uniqueness and act as it pleases; it may be able to generate "looks", but it cannot have "charm".

In September 2022, the painting "Théâtre D'opéra Spatial" won an award at the Colorado Exposition in the United States, attracting a lot of attention and criticism. This is one of three works that look like oil paintings that game designer Jason Allen spent more than 80 hours using the AI drawing generation tool Midjourney. Since the exhibition category belongs to the "Digital Art" category, there is no restriction on the use of AI drawing tools, so there is no violation.

Someone asked: Can the works generated by AI after being "fed" by data and materials be called "artworks"? Answer: "Not even close! Far from it!" The first thing we need to talk about is "intellectual property rights," which is the basic protection and respect for creators. However, AI-generated works will not be protected by copyright, and cannot be positioned in terms of cultural value, aesthetic value, or artistic skills, so they cannot be classified as works of art.

Taking "Space Opera" as an example, the author needed to edit 900 times to generate the picture, and then adjust the color and light... The whole process was really not easy at all. There was no credit but hard work, and it was not enough to take away the bonus of 300 US dollars. It won't be too much. But compared to the "natural generation" of human artists - it's really far behind!

So, can AI become an "artist"? Who qualifies to be called an artist? This question reminds me of an interesting thing. My friend's father was passing through airport customs and was asked what his job was. His dad replied: "I am an artist." Customs: "Oh, what is your medium, what medium do you use?" The dad who just started to learn sketching replied: "Pencil!" So, just say you are! You can call AI an artist, but it cannot "become" an artist. Agree with Jason Allen: "AI is a new drawing tool, not an enemy that replaces artists."

▲ Can AI create art? The picture shows "Space Opera", a painting produced with AI drawing tools.

Image Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_d%27Op%C3%A9ra_Spatial#/

media/File:Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_d’Op%C3%A9ra_Spatial.webp

Can AI be a helper to humans?

I was walking on the sidewalk a few days ago when a man with a bald head came towards me. He raised his head and held his chest out, walking like a model on the catwalk. He passed by "elegantly" and said in an unhurried tone: "I like your hat." ! I like your hat." I replied happily without hesitation: "Thank you!" This kind of encounter is really pleasant. His body shape and movements unconsciously reminded people of "robots". I thought: If what he passed by was really a robot and had been programmed to "praise people", would he still feel happy? Or can the level of happiness be comparable?

I have watched a show where an AI robot talks to a real person. The robot was eloquent, answered questions fluently, and even rolled its eyes! Perhaps it was influenced by some science fiction movies. Although I knew that the control setting behind it was "human", I couldn't help but feel scared when I saw the "weird" expression on the robot's face. Just imagine - what if one day the robots rebel and turn back to humans... What should we do? Of course, the above are just personal, "unfounded" and non-professional conjectures.

▲ Picture source:https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/woman-with-blue-jacket-white-jacket-is-standing-front-colorful-background_42907709.

AI technology, unless it is used by gangsters to commit crimes, should be a good helper for mankind. Recently, the exterior walls and windows of the apartment were being cleaned, but the progress of the workers was very slow. That day, I was waiting for a friend to pick me up at the door. He was late due to traffic jam, so I had to wait for a long time. Sitting on the steps at the door, I smelled a strong smell of smoke. Two young workers of similar age were puffing away their smoke and chatting happily. They had not yet climbed onto the scaffolding after chatting for a long time. It is estimated that this project will be "long-lasting". If two robot guys who are not lazy are dispatched at this time, the work efficiency will be guaranteed to be immediate, and it will be clean in two or three times!

It is said that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Isn’t the same true true for AI? It can be an enemy or an angel. Genesis Chapter 2:7 says: “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and he became a living being, and his name was Adam.” Faced with the changes that AI has brought to the world , there is no need to be uneasy and anxious, on the contrary, we need to work with it. We are living beings with a spirit, and we can discern what God’s will is in our hearts. We must change it through the renewal of our rationality, so that AI can become a ministering angel, serving that which is good, pure, and pleasing!

Miao Huitian, older and single, with money to travel but no money to take a walk. You can be lazy, diligent, active and at home; you can appreciate beautiful scenery, beautiful things, and beautiful things, and like good food, beautiful articles, and beautiful music.