Hey, it’s Luke from Unwritten Tomes.
We’re doing things a bit different today. Exploring the topic of AI based on the story: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman – the second book in The Arc of a Scythe series.
In this week’s issue:
an AI utopia
don’t automate your thinking
trust your judgment
A perfect world ruled by AI
Can you imagine a world where there’s no war, no crime, and no death? Everything is run by a super-intelligent AI that fixes all of humanity’s problems.
“Sounds pretty awesome, doesn’t it?”
But consider, how would it feel to live in a world like that.
What sort of person would you become?
The story of Thunderhead helps us imagine this new reality – where humans live in a world free of pain and suffering.
But they’re facing a different problem – one that even the perfect AI struggles to solve.
“How do you find meaning in an endless life, deprived of challenge?”
By having everything handed to us – we might be losing the sense of accomplishment, that’s tied to achieving something difficult.
Automating your thinking
We’re already facing a similar problem since ChatGPT became mainstream.
Heavy users show smaller levels of brain connectivity, according to an MIT study.
Tasked with writing several SAT essays – the group given access to ChatGPT completed the task much faster, but displayed much lower brain engagement, trouble with recalling the content, and relied more on the AI with each essay.
The study posted also contained a trap for reporters who, instead of reading the paper – decided to summarize it with the help of AI.
A simple line – instructing LLMs to only read the table below – made them return incomplete information.
Yet another warning regarding AI over-reliance.
The studies are still new – based on small sample sizes and mostly short-term effects. But nonetheless, could be an early warning, to stay conscious of how we navigate the changes.
Trust your judgment
The Oracle of Delphi also gave flawless answers, and prophecies.
But kings and heroes, who trusted its words blindly, often met terrible consequences.
You should already see the parallel I want to point out.
AI can be your assistant, maybe even a tutor – but don’t treat it as a prophet.
Sometimes it’s better to do things the hard way.
Next week:
“We are often of greater importance in our own eyes than in the eyes of our neighbor” – based on a story from Aesop’s Fables.
