The calm after the storm
When ChatGPT‐3 first launched, the build‐up of AI's promises reached a fever pitch, creating a maelstrom of public debate. Now, as we stand in the relative stillness that followed, it's apparent that our fears and hopes have not yet fully materialised.
Predictions ranged from utopian to dystopian. On the positive side, there were forecasts of AI heralding a new era of abundance: machines that would liberate us from labour, algorithms capable of solving complex global issues, and personal AI assistants to enhance every aspect of human life (which is what this book is about). I must confess to being on this side of the argument.
On the negative side, many feared the rise of an omnipotent surveillance state, the obsolescence of human work, and the uncontrolled escalation of AI capabilities leading to catastrophic outcomes. (Cue dramatic music.)
A year in, as the storm of hype has passed, the landscape is not quite what anyone expected.
The anticipated AI revolution has been more of a gradual evolution. Yes, there have been remarkable advancements: AI has enhanced health care through more accurate diagnostic tools, streamlined transportation with smarter traffic‐management systems, and even made strides in tackling climate change by optimising energy consumption.
More generally, AI has become a collaborator, offering tools that augment human capability and creativity rather than replace it.
What has become evident, though, is the limitations of current ...
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