Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
We're
glad you're here! It's the First Wednesday of the month; when we
celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop
featuring members and guests of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank
you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a comfortable
place to share views and literary news as we record our journeys. Check out the
October newsletter here.
Our
awesome co-hosts this month are: Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia
Josephine, and Rebecca
Douglass!
The optional question(s) for this month is: The topic of AI
has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources,
generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?
First, Happy October, everyone! It’s Children’s Magazine Month! It’s also
Banned Books Week as well as Good Books Week. Does anyone see a correlation?
Is AI going to ruin the writing industry? Well, probably
not. But it will eliminate jobs in every industry, including ours. However, given
the absence of emotional range without the slightest ability to incorporate
ethics or morality into a soulless system programmed only to problem-solve, it
stands to reason that AI also lacks the creative aptitude that human writers
are born with. I am somewhat heartened by that.
Keeping in mind that AI is only as reliable as the input it receives, one has to wonder what to expect when a data entry specialist is tasked to describe to a machine the psychological effects of being caught in a perilous sea squall, the loss of a cherished friend, the physical pain of heartache. Could AI then impart the information with any semblance of realism to inspire joy, invoke fear, or extract a sob or a tear from the reader? I doubt it.
AI could, however, unflinchingly pass your data off as the
property of someone or something
else. Privacy and Security are what is most at stake here, and as long as we’re
vigilant, we should all be alright.
I agree with you that it won't replace writers. But we do have to watch it carefully and be sure that it doesn't give our writing to someone else trying to use it to write a book.
ReplyDeleteExactly right, Natalie. It's undeniably encouraging when your work is sought-after, but having it stolen dampens the fire of ambition. Hopefully, they (whomever they are) will make it right for all concerned.
DeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Stealing the work of others is a big issue and many today have mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it undermines the concept of intellectual property i.e., Thanks for the thought, now it's mine.
DeleteDefinitely a foreboding sign of the times.
I'm glad we have these conversations, Alex. Thanks!
AI could be a great tool, but the fact it's stolen a lot of work and the people who made it think they are the only ones who should get paid, is a big reason why I'm not going to use it for the time.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you, Patricia. It's pretty pervasive, but I'm holding out for as long as I can as well ;-)
DeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
DeletePrivacy and security are huge issues in an already threatening social media environment. I'm more worried about that and that I'm not sure fact and fiction will be clearly defined.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Lee! And what a shame we can no longer be sure. I still believe truth - and the benefit of being human - will prevail ;-)
DeleteYou make good points about this.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe the biggest issue driving industries to AI is the cost of employees who want top pay, best benefits, and easier workload with no real loyalty to their jobs and no consideration for the future of the workplace. Now work remuneration because a balance of need and greed with greed starting to weigh more heavily on workers' minds.
I hate the idea of AI for creativity and arts, but it might be the only thing that can keep companies in business. The work ethics of a lot people these days is not very impressive.
Lee
Interesting viewpoint, Lee. I hadn't considered what might actually drive employers of this (writing) industry to such drastic lengths. The work ethic issue will definitely tip the scales if it hasn't already. If AI remains simply helpful and not omnipotent, we and our creativity should be safe ;-)
DeleteCan't comment as anything but Anonymous - Olga Godim from https://olgagodim.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteYou're right: AI certainly can't incorporate ethics or morality into its written creations. The same about emotional depth. I would think factual lists or a summary of events would be more in the AI style.
There seems to be some sort of standoff between wordpress and blogger these days. Commenting is hit or miss at best. Sorry about that, Olga.
DeleteAs to your point, AI can be a marvelous help or a devastating hindrance. Since, I'm not a gambler, I think I'll pass ;-) For as long as possible, anyway.
I feel like the problem is that the way they are teaching AI to incorporate emotion, etc., is by feeding it the works of real, human writers. In other words, plagiarism, plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteI'm another one like Patricia above--I'm not using it for now because it's got no moral compass.
I'm with you, Rebecca. Besides, not everyone feels or reacts the same about any given situation, so simply incorporating emotion - generic emotion, if you will, won't ever be convincing.
DeleteI understand little about AI, but think the capacity for abuse and misuse is frightening! Privacy and security are eroding more and more.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, Debbie. It's concerning any way you look at it. Vigilance is warranted.
DeletePrivacy and security online have been lost causes since the advent of social media, and probably before. The creators of the current crop of AI tools are taking advantage of that state of affairs to feed human-generated content into their tools, in order to sell it back to the humans who generated that content in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI think a certain risk is unavoidable, John. But, as you point out, there are those who take advantage. Hopefully, as technology evolves a solution will emerge ;-)
DeleteAI will always need direction, so jobs will be lost, but not all of them. AI needs us ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way to look at it, Gwen ;-)
DeleteThanks for co-hosting!
dIEDRE ~
ReplyDelete"Mr. Fashionably Late" here. (That's my favorite pen name. But... *you* don't have to include the "Mr." part.)
>>... According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them.
If 'The Wizards Behind The Curtain' get their way, A.I. will replace... EVERYONE!
Even if you're NOT a SciFi fan (as I am NOT), it's still probably time to rewatch the movie '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Because what that movie was forecasting... well... it has arrived. This, right NOW, is the time.
Fortunately, however, The Wizards will not get their way... well... not entirely. They'll get their way for 7 years, only. (And those 7 years *may* have begun today, see: "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood").
Why not? Why won't The Wizards Behind The Curtain win? Because...
[Link> SOMEBODY's Coming!
~ D-FensDogG
Howdy, Stephen T.!
DeleteIf you're right, I'm looking forward to some very disturbing nonsense being put out of our misery. No one, any where should have to worry about the troubles we see today.
Brighter days, better tomorrows!