folio

Over twenty years ago, I knew people with doctorates in Artificial Intelligence.

That was long before it was a buzzword, when it still seemed novel and inconceivable.

The pair I knew were writing algorithms for medical imaging startups, aiming to automatically detect cancer tumours in CAT scans.

That’s machine learning I can believe in. Beneficial innovations, with potential to make lives better.

But Generative AI is not of this mould. Hate is a strong word, but it seems fitting for how I feel about it.

I particularly dislike Generative tools that seem to aim to make people lazy.

I can see where they might have utility. For example, in summarising information for people with access needs.

However, in practice, they often seem to be used to produce content of no real worth, except to prolific spammers.

I don’t want a computer to write content for me. I might like it to competently proofread what I have written.

I might find it helpful if it could create a chapter summary or synopsis, or remind me where I got up to. 

But to go beyond that and fiddle with my writing? No, thank you! I insist on making my own mess of things.

I may never finish anything, but at least the struggle is all mine.