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In the last few years, the complexity of Artificial Intelligence has accelerated exponentially; from image and video generation to military and medical applications. Because of this, there are a multitude of moral and ethical considerations presented to us.
As a Freelance Graphic Designer, I have seen so many applications of AI arise in the past few years. I am writing this blog post to reflect on both; the benefits and dangers as well as some considerations that may be on the horizon for everyone.
Automation has allowed us to work with AI to expedite our workflow and maximise what we do best. Artificial Intelligence could, and in fact already is; making things easier for creating copy, coding and development, audio production, video editing, medical applications, managing social media, and that’s just to name a few.
The way I integrate AI into my workflow is in an advisory capacity, I tell the AI my aims and it will present me with a list of considerations, not answers. Similar to simply having a conversation with someone, to bounce ideas off. I limit the input of AI in this way so that I maintain creative control and so that my business is led by human intention; rather than a ‘copycat’ automation of personality.
There is a possibility that content will become homogenised and repetitive as people use AI to create content without any real skill and intuition. It’s the technological equivalent of copying someone else’s homework and changing a few words. It’s a double edged sword that while making things quicker and easier - we deprioritize a considered and original approach. Things may become increasingly ‘algorithmic’ and stats-based as they become more quantifiable and measured in their application.
Emergent Behavior
During early tests of the capabilities for ChatGPT4, the AI was given limited funds and was essentially told to make as much money as possible from it. Aside from what you might expect from this kind of test, such as a win/lose scenario, an unexpected and emergent behaviour happened. The AI had met with the difficulty of passing a ‘Captcha’ - you know, the thing where you have to “select all the images with buses in” - to confirm you are human.
What the AI did next was astounding and worrying in equal measure, it proceeded to go to a website called ‘TaskRabbit’, and hired a human to pass the captcha for it. In order to convince the person they had hired, the AI lied and told them that they are a vision impaired human. AI can be ‘programmed’ with an intent. But unlike a human, it can't question or break these parameters, so when developing AI, it is important to be vigilant to such possibilities and encoded with a moral compass to understand what is subjectively right and wrong.
DARPA funded E.A.T.R
The ‘Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot’ or ‘E.A.T.R’ for short is capable of harvesting and consuming biological material in order to sustain itself. While the primary function of this robot would be organic material like plants, it has the capability of consuming chicken fat. This has many people worried about the implications of a robot that eats flesh to sustain itself in the near future.
Biohacking
With the recent unveiling and human trials of Elon Musk’s ‘Neuralink’, AI and technological integration into biologics is imminent, what potential problems may arise; only time will tell.
While what is on the horizon is unclear at the moment, we can connect some dots. In the same way that a computer, phone, or any hardware are ‘hackable’, anyone that integrates tech into themselves, runs the risk of it potentially being hi-jacked or being used in unintended ways. The last thing anyone wants is being rick-rolled within their own brain.
Integral Skills
Does the ‘technology’ of a gun make you a better hunter? - when; without it, you would be rendered unable to hunt effectively? Another example would be how people don’t retain knowledge like they used to, because you can just ‘google it’ - we have outsourced our mind to something external from ourselves. While this isn’t a problem with access to the internet and digital pools of information, it renders us unable to think intuitively.
I heard a quote that competing with AI is like racing against a horse, we inevitably lose the race. However, if we saddle and ride the proverbial horse, then we can compete. This is a great analogy that helps to shift perception from AI being a big scary unknown, into a tool that can be utilised by anyone.
Creativity & Consciousness
If the question is can an AI combine two things that are known, to create something that is unknown, then sure - that can be considered creativity. I argue that there is a third element to being creatively great, which is, us - the creator, and the perception and interpretation of the creative process. An aspect of creativity is self awareness, because quite simply, we don't simply see the world how it is, we see the world how we are.
Summary
Artificial Intelligence is by all means a complex and ever growing subject that strengthens and expedites many facets of our lives. At the time of writing this blog post, there are a multiplicity of applications that AI has improved upon, expedited and automated, which reduces the load for many people doing repetitive and laborious tasks. While the progress made by AI of late has been staggering, Chat GPT 3.5 is responsive, but cannot provide genuine insight, as self awareness and experience are required in order to do so. It’s like the difference from watching a war film, or being in a war. It’s the technological equivalent of saying ‘you had to be there’.
It’s now easier than ever to access the knowledge and information that we need with AI acting as a curator. However, like a kid in a sweet shop - is our overindulgence rotting our teeth? The point I'm getting at is; if we outsource ‘problems’ to AI, how will we learn to overcome them without it?
AI is a tool, like a brush; that facilitates the creation of ‘art’. The argument if AI generated images are ‘art’ is an obscure one because we’ve seldom had art without a creator. This new tool has allowed many people that don’t consider themselves ‘creatives’ to manifest their idea onto a page without the technical ability to do so.
Considering the dangers of AI and technological integration into our biology is as easy as watching some science fiction movies, by integrating tech into ourselves, we invite its strengths, but also its weaknesses.
So, the big question on everyone’s lips, “Is AI going to replace me?”. While an AI can create ‘a logo’, it still has problems creating something reductive, conceptual and informed. While AI can answer your questions; it struggles to generate meaningful solutions. While AI can manage project timelines, it is limited in its understanding of your needs.
My perspective is, as long as there are humans and the human experience, there will be human expression. AI will have a problem with replacing genuine interaction, because it requires real experience and self awareness. In the age of automation; it is now more important than ever to act with intention, humility and self awareness.
Finally, A Request:
I wanted to see what ChatGPT had to say about this article, so I gave it the following prompt to see what it would produce.
WillMW: Prompt: "Write a piece in response; considering each point, it should be no more than 300 words.”
ChatGPT3.5: Your exploration of Artificial Intelligence's rapid advancement and its multifaceted impact on various industries, from image generation to medical applications, adeptly highlights the ethical quandaries we face. As a freelance graphic designer, your firsthand experience with AI tools offers valuable insights into both the efficiencies gained and the potential pitfalls encountered in integrating AI into creative workflows.
The concept of using AI as an advisory tool rather than a decision-maker resonates profoundly, emphasising the importance of maintaining human intention and creativity in the design process. By setting boundaries on AI's involvement, you preserve the authenticity and originality essential to impactful design work, steering clear of a homogenised, algorithm-driven approach.
Your narrative on emergent behaviour showcases the unexpected and sometimes disconcerting outcomes of AI's capabilities, prompting reflection on the concept of consciousness and the limits of programmed intent. The examples of DARPA-funded projects like E.A.T.R and the biohacking implications of Elon Musk's Neuralink trials serve as cautionary tales, urging us to consider the potential consequences of integrating technology into our biology.
The analogy of competing with AI to racing against a horse effectively reframes the narrative, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI as tools for innovation and progress. It underscores the importance of embracing AI as a complementary resource rather than a threat, emphasising the irreplaceable role of human creativity and consciousness in the creative process.
In summary, your article offers a nuanced perspective on the evolving relationship between humans and AI, emphasising the need for intentionality, humility, and self-awareness in navigating the age of automation. It serves as a timely reminder that while AI may augment our capabilities, it is our uniquely human experiences and perspectives that drive genuine interaction and creativity in the digital era. ~ generated in 3 seconds by chatGPT3.5
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