If computers ever take over the realms of creativity then hopefully they will provide programs that will just inject info into our brains so that we don't have to actually read what the machines write--the machines will just tell us what we would have read if we had actually read it. Why bother to think if someone or something else can think for us? I don't think I like where this could go...
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog.
The co-hosts for the October 4 posting of the IWSG are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!
October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?
I don't know much about this topic of AI and considering my computer limitations of this past year I'm not sure I care too much. There are advantages to AI as far creativity I would say, but once the human component of creativity has been replaced by AI would the various arts using it tend to become stale and highly formulaic? Then again, maybe that has happened to a great extent with human writers. A great many of the books, films, or other media that become a series have to rely on formula and sameness because that's probably what the audience wants.
But who am I to say since I don't have enough experience with anything in regard to AI? If the future means reading a lot of stories, seeing a lot of films, or hearing a lot of music that basically sound like something else we've already experienced repeatedly then is that really a good thing? Or has this happened already?
I'll admit that I'm pretty much in the dark about AI, but maybe we all are. Maybe only AI knows for sure...
If you haven't done so already, I hope you'll stop by to vote on my current Battle of the Bands. This one has songs that you probably know and like. And I don't think they were composed using AI, but I couldn't confirm that.
Humans are just as capable of creating the generic works of AI. I think most American pop music is very generic and just more of the same, which is why I appreciate prog rock so much. Those artists continually expand, change, and explore because the genre demands it.
ReplyDeleteAlex, so much modern music sounds alike. I find it difficult to listen to it with much interest. Prog rock can be quite good, but still I would go back to classical music as the true innovation.
DeleteLee
I do worry that computers will become to good at mimicking humans...
ReplyDeleteLiza, they are already good at mimicking humans.
DeleteLee
I get your point that everything we put out as artists is made up of so much stuff we have consumed in our lives up to that point. But humans are always capable of putting a new spin on things, to one degree or another. I don't believe AI can really do that and that's what I worry about, that things will become even more stale than they already are.
ReplyDeleteNick, I don't know if AI will ever be able to spin ideas or come up with totally new ones, but I think it could. Will humans allow that to happen? Right now we are in charge--I think.
DeleteLee
Sadly people are used to formula and many won't notice a difference.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, I think you are right about that.
DeleteLee
I doubt AI will provide anything creatively new and/or exciting - that's for human writers to do. It might, however, blur the lines of intellectual property. I'm hoping otherwise.
ReplyDeleteDiedre, the idea of "intelligence" whether artificial or not makes be think that it has capacity for learning and growth which would seem like eventually it could understand human emotions and motivations to the extent that it could create as well as a real human. My theory at least.
DeleteLee
I think writers have more to worry about being lost in the noise than in being replaced. ChatGPT, et al can produce a complete book in minutes. Not that it is any good, but flooding the market with artificially generated garbage makes it more difficult for consumers to find the works created by real human beings.
ReplyDeleteJohn W, if it sells then I guess it's what readers want and we can't blame the AI industry for that. Maybe people are becoming dumber and less discerning about what they put into their heads--actually I don't think it's "maybe" but they are.
DeleteLee
I saw the other day where it was claimed that AI was asked to do a picture of Jesus flipping over the tables at the Temple. It drew Jesus doing a backflip over a table. Stuck the landing, too! (JK on that last...)
ReplyDeleteCW, Since humans seem to be losing their sense of humor it's good to know that AI can still make us laugh. Good one!
DeleteLee
My coworker is a former architect and he said his teachers were against CAD software because "it did all the work". Yes, it can spit out something generic, but if you want a thing of beauty, you still need human inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLoni, but I guess the argument can be made that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For things that don't require much in the way of thought or creativity probably can be done more efficiently and economically by machine than actual human.
DeleteLee
Debs, I suppose if the machines can give the audience what they are looking for then no one might even notice.
ReplyDeleteLee
I have checked it out and it's a handy tool, but does require human editing skills to make something of it. On the other side of the argument, it needs regulating to protect copyright and intellectual property ownership. Makes you wonder how it would work without ready access to other people's work.
ReplyDeleteGwen, AI does sound very handy for many things and probably would even do a credible job of editing. AI can recall and cross-reference info far faster than any human so I think that the ownership issues would be easily resolved. Access would be imperative however and I think that too would be an easy thing relatively speaking.
DeleteLee
Most interesting to read Lee. hope to be back next month.
ReplyDeleteJope all is well and your grandaughter still singing.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, Marley is singing still, but most of her activities of late revolve around high school band and other groups. She's supposed to be coming to visit us for Thanksgiving and we're very happy about that.
DeleteLee
Thank you for your reply, Hope you have a wonderful time with Marley when she visits.
DeleteGive her my kind regards.
Yvonne.
Personally, I’m tired of all the series and franchises and sameness. I am always in search of something original, whether it’s a book, movie, or other form of entertainment. I would hate for AI to exacerbate the sameness!
ReplyDeleteKim, I'd rather the sameness come from actual human writers. Let AI run manufacturing and such.
DeleteLee