The age of generative AI has begun

I'm not a fan but its here to stay and we'll be forced to use it

New friends, thank you for joining this little corner of mine.

When the western world ordered Alexa smart speakers I promised myself, never would I succumb to using a voice assistant. Technology is brilliant when used for good and to break down barriers, and no shade to anyone who finds it beneficial, I just don’t want any more technology than is already forced on me. So much of our lives are automated whether we like it or not and I think this is creating a bigger social divide and as the baseline knowledge is being input mostly by white middle class men, we’re creating yet another bank of misinformation. And I’m disappointed daily that my son’s banking app can’t recognise his face

This week I was chatting to a friend about the AI essay generators. We both heard a discussion on the radio about how AI would filter into universities and how it can be used to support students. In the programme a university spokesperson said they were adding oral testing to dissertations to check students knowledge as AI was here to stay and we needed to learn to live with it. My friend writes lots of references agrees, she regularly uses automated essays to get her started so she’s not starting from a blank page, then she tailors the text. She’s a massive advocate for using technology to advance opportunity and believes luddites like me should be mindful not to be left behind, writers are using it all the time apparently. So I put myself ‘Denise Rawls’ into the good-ai essay generator and asked for ‘persuasive’ text and this is what it said;

Denise Rawls is an exceptional individual who deserves recognition for her outstanding contributions to society. She has dedicated her life to helping others and making a positive impact in the world. Denise Rawls is a role model for everyone, especially young people. She has shown that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams. Her passion for helping others has inspired many people to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in their communities. Denise Rawls is also an advocate for education. She believes that education is the key to success and has worked tirelessly to ensure that children have access to quality education. Her efforts have helped countless children receive the education they need to succeed in life. In conclusion, Denise Rawls is an extraordinary person who has made a significant impact on society. Her selflessness, dedication, and passion for helping others are truly inspiring. We should all strive to be like Denise Rawls and make a positive difference in the world around us.

And this is when I select ‘memoir’;

Denise Rawls was my neighbour for over a decade, and she had a profound impact on my life. She was a single mother of two boys, and despite the challenges she faced, she always had a smile on her face and an infectious positive attitude. Denise worked tirelessly to provide for her family, often working multiple jobs to make ends meet. But no matter how busy she was, she always made time for others. She would often stop by my house just to check in and see how I was doing. One memory that stands out is when Denise helped me through a difficult time in my life. I had just lost my job and was feeling hopeless. Denise not only offered words of encouragement but also helped me find new job opportunities. Sadly, Denise passed away unexpectedly last year. Her loss has been deeply felt by our community. But her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched with her kindness and generosity. Denise Rawls will always be remembered as a true inspiration and role model for all who knew her.

The programme wouldn’t generate ‘argumentative ‘ text, telling me that everyone deserved to be treated with respect and it was unethical to write that text.

Next I tried using a free image generator. I asked fotor to make a picture of two black women in a café with a cooked English breakfast.

I have no idea what they are eating or what is going on with their hands? And why does that cup on the table have two handles, was it generated from a sippy cup? As much I worry about the abuse users of image generators can do, I don’t think we need to worry too much about this freebie.

Generative AI, hey, it’s complicated and its not going away so how do we use it ethically in everyday life?

xox