The ChatGPT Revolution, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 2The pros and cons

My mate John has seen too many dystopian movies about the future and is convinced that AI and ‘the machines’ will eventually lead to the destruction of humanity. Clearly, he has spent too much time watching movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Terminator, The Matrix or Avengers: Age of Ultron.

In my observation of negative feedback about ChatGPT, the critics seem to fall into two main groups:

1. The first group is just like John. They are certain that AI and ML will become more powerful and ubiquitous, and that can only lead to the end of life as we know it.
2. The second group sees a much more practical downside of AI being misused by people with ill intent. We know it can instantly generate malicious code if you casually ask for it, and it can also pass medical exams, write convincing academic papers and do your homework for you. Within this group are also those who are worried that platforms like ChatGPT will replace jobs.

I tend to be more on the hopeful side of things and look to Star Trek for my future predictions. Call me naïve or optimistic, but the utopian picture painted in a Star Trek future feels better to me — and many of the fictional devices from that show have become a reality. If you are reading this on an iPad or other handheld reader, that's thanks to Star Trek.

I also agree with American philosopher Gray Scott, who is less concerned about whether AI or machines will become violent, and more focused on how they will disrupt our way of ...