Comparing a Century of Automation Creations with Generative AI - why it is totally different

Throughout the past century, we have seen an incredible evolution in automation, marked by inventions that revolutionized our industries, processes, and day-to-day activities. From the mechanical innovations of calculators and typewriters to advanced software applications like Microsoft Excel and CAD tools, the march of progress has been steady and impressive.

In the early part of the 20th century, the calculator and typewriter emerged as game-changing tools. The mechanical calculator simplified complex mathematical operations, and as electronics advanced, so did the capabilities of these devices, becoming faster and more accurate. Typewriters transformed the world of communication, making the process of writing more efficient and legible, shaping professional communication until computers and word processing software replaced them.

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In the latter half of the century, software automation became the vanguard of progress. Excel revolutionized data processing, while CAD tools became the bedrock of engineering design. CRM tools like Salesforce streamlined and automated sales processes, contributing to business efficiency.

These revolutionary innovations, both mechanical and software, share a common attribute: they are deterministic. The inputs dictate the outputs in a predictable, predefined way. They mechanized and simplified tasks but did not learn, adapt, or create in the way humans do.

However, we now find ourselves at the dawn of a new era - the age of Generative AI.

Generative AI is a stark departure from traditional automation tools, setting it apart in three critical ways: democratization, ease of use, and versatility.

Unlike previous tools, many of which were proprietary and costly, Generative AI, like the GPT-4 model from OpenAI, is freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This democratizing aspect fundamentally reshapes who can harness the power of advanced technology, breaking down the barriers of cost and accessibility.

Furthermore, Generative AI does not demand specialized technical skills or training, unlike its software and mechanical predecessors. It’s designed to be intuitive, inviting interaction from individuals of varying technical competencies.

Perhaps the most striking difference lies in the versatility of Generative AI. Traditional automation tools, mechanical or software, were created to perform specific tasks. In contrast, Generative AI is a jack of all trades. It can write, create artwork, generate music, perform research, translate languages, and even simulate conversations. Its functionality is limited only by our imagination.

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Now, when we compare GPT-4 to its predecessor, GPT-3, we witness remarkable advancements. GPT-4 demonstrates up to a 40% reduction in errors, and its capabilities in context understanding and coherent generation of text have significantly improved. However, when we juxtapose it with human cognition, the comparison becomes intriguing. GPT-4, with its ability to process and store vast amounts of data, far exceeds human capabilities. While an average human brain has a storage capacity estimated around 2.5 petabytes, GPT-4's capacity extends into exabytes, making it capable of storing and processing information hundreds of times more than a human.

Above all, Generative AI learns and improves over time, distinguishing it from deterministic automation tools. It is not just another step in the automation journey; it represents a paradigm shift from static to adaptive, from single-task to multifaceted, and from exclusive to democratic.

The impact of Generative AI will be far-reaching and transformative. As we move forward into this exciting new era, we must prepare to embrace the changes and challenges it brings. The age of Generative AI is not just an extension of the past; it is a leap into a future full of untapped potential and innovative possibilities.

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How to Take Your Anxiety About AI & OpenAi (ChatGPT) and Turn It into Positive Action

Artificial Intelligence (AI), OpenAi (ChatGPT) and the turbo charged pace its presenting itself is increasing all around us, creating fear in many people of becoming replaced by machines in the workplace and also the general fear of the unknown (how will it work? what will it do? do I need to reskill? – are common questions most people are asking themselves). However, instead of being fearful, it's important to consider how to adapt to these emerging technologies. Here is a step-by-step guide to help turn your anxiety about AI & OpenAI into positive action you can take today:

1.      Understand AI and its Fundamentals: Understanding the fundamentals of AI, including terminology and its implications, is a crucial first step to understanding the technology. It's important to learn about AI before deciding if it will negatively impact your career path and also it will help you decipher all of the clickbait you are seeing today – this will help reduce your stress levels about the topic.

2.      Learn about the Different AI Applications: AI technology is already prevalent in various industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and finance, simplifying and enhancing everyday operations. Knowing how AI is changing different industries can help you identify the opportunities arising from industries adopting AI. Again knowing how its being used in real life examples will also reduce your stress levels about the topic.

3.      Explore the Positive Impacts of AI on the Workforce: Just as it has always been in history with anything that is powerful and new, humans have used it for doing good and also doing bad. My advice is focus on the positive, usually the good in anything wins in the end. AI creates new job opportunities in fields such as software engineering and data analysis. Automation of mundane and repetitive tasks has increased efficiency and accuracy. Also focusing on the positives of Ai/OpenAi will help you see the topic in more positive light, helping you retrieve from the shrivelled up scare ball you are in and actually will make you want to learn about the topic as something positive in your life. Positivity has a, well, positive impact on your ability to learn.

4.      Ethical and Responsible Integration: The integration of AI into any business or industry should be done ethically and responsibly to ensure maximum benefits for the workforce. It is essential that companies adopting AI technologies ensure ethical integration of the technology. So whatever you are planning on doing with Ai/Open, please make sure you lead by example and use it for things that will do good in the world. Having a clean conscience will help you also stay motivated while learning Ai/OpenAi – learning isn’t easy, whatever help you can get will help you in your new quest to reskill.

5.      Upskill Yourself in AI Technology: Learning more about AI technology can enhance your skills in the workforce and prepare you for changing technology landscapes. Understanding AI's capabilities and characteristics can enable a person to make the best possible career decisions. You can do this by taking courses online, talking to any Ai/OpenAi experts that you know (real professionals please not just anyone off tiktok). You can also attend conferences and talk to people at work who have started taking courses too. There are at least 10 ways you can start learning.

6.      Experiment with AI Technologies: Familiarizing yourself with AI technology can help alleviate fears and prepare you for challenges, as AI adoption continues to grow. Taking online courses, reading up on the latest research, and experimenting with AI technologies cultivate knowledge, skills, and expertise, differentiating yourself in the market. The best way to learn anything is to get your hands dirty. Many of the Ai/OpenAi offerings have 7 or even 30 day free trials. I would go as far as trying 50 different options out in the market. By trying you will also see that this isn’t rocket science for the most part. That will again help you turn any anxiety about the topic into positive action.

Last but not least – hopefully this really helps you the most. History usually repeats itself when it comes to revolutions. Previous revolutions haven’t happened overnight; it takes time for companies to adopt and set up frameworks, and governments to establish rules and regulations. However, it is important to take positive action to manage anxiety about AI by taking action into your own hands given the steps above. However just remember it won't be years until we see the true impact of this new revolution, so if anything just remember, YOU HAVE TIME!

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AI AND RELIGION - AN UNEXPECTED CONNECTION

As artificial intelligence continues to advance, so too do concerns about job displacement. As more and more jobs are taken over by AI, what will happen to the workers who once held those jobs? However, what if AI has the potential to actually benefit humanity in unexpected ways? What if it can push us towards introspection and contemplation about our place in the universe and our relationship to a higher power? What if AI could actually lead people towards religion?

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that something as mechanical as AI could inspire people to reconsider their spirituality, but perhaps it is not so far-fetched after all. One of the key benefits of AI is that it can take over many of the mundane, repetitive tasks that previously occupied so much of our time and energy. This leaves people with more free time to ponder the bigger questions in life, such as the nature of existence and the purpose of our lives.

Historically, many scientists and thinkers have found faith in religion after exploring the natural world through science. They have seen the hand of a higher power at work in the intricate design of the universe and the laws that govern it. For example, Sir Isaac Newton, one of the most prominent scientists of the 17th century, was a devout Christian who saw his scientific discoveries as proof of God’s existence. Similarly, Albert Einstein, the father of modern physics, famously said, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” These figures show that scientific exploration is not necessarily at odds with religious faith, but can actually strengthen it.

Furthermore, as people have more time to reflect on their place in the world, they may be more open to exploring spirituality. Studies have shown that people who experience job loss often go through a period of self-reflection and re-evaluation of their values and priorities. This can lead to a search for meaning and purpose beyond just a job, which can include exploring religion.

Of course, AI is unlikely to push people towards any particular religion or belief system. However, the newfound free time that comes with job displacement may allow people to explore a wider range of beliefs, or perhaps even discover a personal spirituality that they never knew they had.

It is worth noting, however, that there are also potential drawbacks to the intersection of AI and religion. For example, there is a risk that people may become too reliant on AI for answers to spiritual questions, rather than seeking guidance from human religious leaders or texts. Additionally, some may view the idea of AI guiding people towards religion as uncomfortably dystopian, as it plays into fears of a future in which machines control everything.

Despite these potential pitfalls, however, the idea that AI could facilitate a renewed interest in spirituality is a fascinating one. It highlights the potential for technology not just to save time and make our lives easier, but to inspire us in unexpected and deeply meaningful ways. As people face the prospect of losing their jobs to AI, this may be one silver lining to consider. The more we embrace the benefits of AI, the more we may find ourselves returning to the oldest, most profound questions in life.

In conclusion, the rise of AI technology may lead to job displacement for many workers, but it can also create a newfound interest in the bigger questions of life. By giving people more time and space to contemplate the nature of the universe, AI could possibly facilitate a renewed interest in spiritual exploration. While some may be uncomfortable with the idea of machines guiding people towards religious faith, it is an intriguing possibility that should continue to be explored.