Talking To Know

 Talking To Know

Talking is important for humans. The ability to express your ideas to others, describe your thoughts, and share information is important for civilization. Without the ability to talk, there is no civilization, there is no community, there is no progression of events that leads to the next chapter. Communication is vital to grow a civilization.

However, with new technologies, you now can talk to artificial intelligence and have that become a pseudo friend, colleague, mentor, and educator. Humans from 2000 years ago could never predict that one day their descendants could talk to a box that was not organic. It is silicon! These ancestors would not be able to comprehend why talking to artificial intelligence was desired. Of course, this would have been considered magic by them.

Modern technology moves so rapidly, the current generation does not receive any advancements as being magical. The mystery of faster communication, computers, Internet, or artificial intelligence technologies are just accepted. One day, humans would just be able to think and the artificial intelligence would follow those instructions. This is one reason why it is difficult to predict future technologies. A few years back, something magical is today just accepted.

A few questions rise from this new artificial intelligence technology. Is talking to a box the same as talking to another human? If the human talking to this box feels a connection, is that real? Is there a consciousness in this artificial technology that leads to this perceived connection with a human? Is it possible that artificial intelligence can be more empathetic than another human being? So many questions arise from this technology. Currently, no one can predict the long-term effects, either positive or negative, from this artificial intelligence.

One last question, is the human race superfluous? Humanity has survived all the advancements in technology. Artificial intelligence technologies most likely will be another technology that, hopefully, will improve the lives of humanity. Perhaps it will make talking to another human being a special event. Or, maybe humans will learn through talking to this artificial intelligence the value of talking to another human being. The empathy the human perceives from this artificial intelligence could be used when talking to other humans. In many ways, talking to artificial intelligence can lead to better human relationships in the future.

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Thinking Of Technology

Thinking Of Technology

Thinking about all the technology that has developed during your lifetime, the older you are, the more drastic this evolution has been. We all use gadgets daily, and many of them have become ubiquitous in our lives. So, when did technology start to be perceived as negative? Back in the 1950s, people predicted flying cars and household robots. In the 60s, computers grew smaller, and by the 70s every household could have a rudimentary computer. In the 1980s, computers and telecommunications became common. By the 90s, the Internet changed everything, and it remained predominant until the recent rise of large language models. Now, these chat systems are viewed by some as the beginning of society’s downfall, from education to a workforce reduction.

When portable cassette decks became available to the masses, humanity survived. We also survived when computers, rudimentary by today’s standards, entered many homes. The cell phone, or rather the smartphone, is now so ubiquitous that it is unusual to see someone without one in hand. Looking at the past, history shows us that whenever a new technology appears, some people adopt it quickly, while others see only the worst and avoid it.

Television was the main form of entertainment until recently. People rushed home to watch their favorite shows until the VCR arrived, letting them record up to six hours of content while they were out. Eventually, VCRs gave way to DVD players and other recording systems. The 90s Internet technology eventually allowed anyone to watch any movie, TV show, or hear any song whenever they wanted. The pioneers who created the early Internet did not foresee that. They built webpages without seeing the network’s full potential. No one at the start could predict every use of this technology.

The same is true for large language models. Many people claim they can they are clairvoyant and warn that this technology will end society and destroy humanity. They are wrong. This technology will evolve into something we cannot predict because we are still at the beginning of the journey. It is easy to say it will hinder learning, eliminate thinking, and destroy entire industries while enriching a few. But right now, no one knows. We can only speculate about what large language models will bring. Hopefully, they will help humanity. Like any other tool humans have developed, these large language models may improve our quality of life. Of course, only time will tell.

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Artificial Intelligence Has Always Been With Us

Artificial Intelligence Has Always Been With Us 

Lately, you hear the term artificial intelligence in every media post you see and read. It is the new, scary technological creation that is going to take away all jobs and steal all content from human history. Everything about artificial intelligence will ultimately lead to humanity being under the control of artificial beings. Of course, this is not true.

New technology is developed repeatedly and integrated into daily life. Let us go back to the invention of fire, the wheel, and the pulley. We could all agree that the world was a tremendously different place without these inventions, or rather, tools. Computer technology has always been a tool. Going back to the eight-bit home computers in the late '70s through the invention of the Internet, this was just another tool for humanity to use to be more efficient, for creativity, and for the betterment of life.

Think of all the technologies and inventions that came from the Internet. We now get into strangers' cars when we do not have a ride. We have strangers deliver our food to our houses when we are too busy to fetch our food for ourselves. We have strangers deliver our packages instead of going to the store and picking them up ourselves. Instead of going to a library and browsing periodicals, you can find information quickly in a search engine. You can find information so quickly today that it makes the science fiction TV shows from the '60s look archaic. Their computers would take about five seconds to find information, but for us, as soon as we hit "search," the information pops up.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence will be utilized in the same manner as these prior technologies. In the modern world, it is unlikely anyone would give up their conditioned air to eliminate technology, just like most people would not give up their smartphones, which are glued to their hands throughout the day. Anyone who has to write would dread typing a research paper on a manual typewriter.

Artificial intelligence is just another tool for us to use. Remember, computers only do exactly what you tell them to do. They are only as good as the information input into them. The term garbage in, garbage out remains an important concept in understanding what computer technology can accomplish. Once you know how computer technology functions, it is easy to realize that it is ultimately a tool. Like any tool, it can be used correctly and efficiently, or it can be misused and rendered ineffective.

At the moment, no one knows how artificial intelligence will affect humanity. When past technologies such as early computers, the Internet, the plow, cinema, the automobile, MP3 players, and air conditioning were introduced, no one could foresee their long-term impact. You may think you know what artificial intelligence will be used for in the future, but you do not. No one could imagine the amazing possibilities of computers connected via the Internet. And no one alive right now can imagine the possibilities with artificial intelligence.

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Thinking, Learning, Ideas

Thinking, Learning, Ideas

Life offers so many wonderful opportunities. The opportunity to sit and just think is a special gift for all of us. Hopefully, most of us will take the time to find a quiet place, perhaps in nature, and simply look outward and reflect upon ourselves and the things that matter most to us. Finding time to just sit and think offers many benefits.

When you are talking, you are not listening. Before speaking, having time to reflect and analyze a situation or an idea promotes clarity in your thoughts. Thinking before you speak is an important skill to develop as you mature in life.

Learning is a lifelong adventure. Regardless of your level of education, you are never finished learning. Whether acquiring a new skill for your employment, pursuing a hobby, or seeking enjoyment, education will be a lifelong partner on your journey. As you continue to learn, remember to think. You might assume this happens automatically. However, once you have been exposed to and absorbed new information, take time to think through the ramifications of these new ideas.

Once you have devoted time to learning and thinking, your ideas will flourish. Invest in yourself. Read a good book. Watch a documentary on a subject you care about. Find an expert and ask them challenging questions. Take a course on that subject, or if you have time, major in it. And realize that learning does not necessarily lead directly to a job. It leads to critical thinking. So no matter what life throws at you, you will be able to think through any situation and find a solution.

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