Artificial General Intelligence and the Future

What are everyone's thoughts on these new waves of AI based on Large Language Models (LLM) and other trainers? Have you played around with ChatGPT? Does it concern you for the future of not only your job, but humanity in general?

I know that my line of work (computer admin) is probably right up there on the chopping block with this stuff, and thus I might be a bit more concerned about it than someone that runs a General Contracting job or is a farmer. But I believe that most jobs are in danger going forward.

And there are a LOT of big wigs in the AI world that are ringing loud alarm bells about this stuff. Existential alarm bells, not just jobs, but existence of humanity itself.

Remember that dude last year that was fired by Google for running around saying their system was sentient? I thought he was mad.

Now I am not so sure.

 

All ChatGPT is (currently), is a glorified text prediction engine. Some jobs are significantly more at risk of automation using these types of features, but the reality is we are still a long ways off from the scary AI that takes everyone's job and I doubt we'll get a true AI that can "think for itself" in my lifetime, if ever.

I think recently an eating disorder hotline replaced all their human staff with ChatGPT. Shortly into the AI-fication of this service it was noticed that ChatGPT was recommending habits that encourage eating disorders. Oops. https://fortune.com/well/2023/05/31/neda-ai-chatbot-harmful-advice/

I think at the end of the day ChatGPT will be a tool that replaces some low level work and augments other work increasing worker productivity. In software development I am already using AI-powered tools that help alleviate some of the boiler plate work that I'm constantly having to do allowing me to focus more time an effort on solving difficult problems or architecting systems.

 

It is nowhere close to as powerful as a lot of people think(not saying anyone here fits that bill).

For example, in my line of work, I’ve seen people say it’s going to be a huge deal. Eventually maybe. Right now, or even soon? Absolutely not.

 

I'm not getting the hype. It's got a long, long ways to go before it's anything other than "something else" to help with jobs. Currently causing headaches in the legal world because it's making up citations that do not exist.

Will become more worried if they ever implant it into the killer robot dogs in Boston.

 

If that happens, it will just be a robot dog that you teach 2+2 = 5 to

 

I'm going to assume all of these are AI generated posts trying to convince us that AI isn't a threat.

 

I'm beginning to use it to increase my productivity, and have shown the small business my wife works for how they can use it to boost theirs. It can make a person more efficient but it is like having a personal idiot savant. You still have to check the work and you have to precisely guide the request and you have to be flexible on the product. It can save you some time on the front end.

 

My wife still demands a paper bank statement to balance the checkbook. I ain't skeert.

Besides, I reckon I'll be dead when y'all are battling SkyNet.

 

Pretty soon the rich and ruling class won't need us at all.

 

I am glad you are all (mostly) not too concerned. I hope you are correct. I am not usually one to run down a rabbit hole of doom and gloom, but the more I see and read about this stuff, the more worried I am for humanities future. Frank Herbert was perhaps on the spice himself, as he might have been prescient with his Butlerian Jihad.

Deep fakes, voice AI, chat bots that look and feel human, all these things are coming to fruition today. And I fear we may not know what is real and what isn't soon. Look at the latest Unreal Engine.

And while we are not at AGI yet, I don't think it is as far off as most of you do. My existential angst started a few years ago when I watched the show about AlphaGo, and it has only gotten worse with GPT 4 and ChatGPT. I feel we are at the bottom of the hockey stick curve on this stuff, not at the top, and the next 2-5 years are going to be important.

We need laws and discussion about this stuff, NOW, not after the super intelligent AI has already been created.

I hope I am over reacting.

 

I asked ChatGPT to write a poem about the 1995 Tennessee - Alabama game in the style of Poe.

Once upon a twilight dreary, in the land of Tennessee,
Where echoes of gridiron battles whispered tales of rivalry,
There came a game in '95, with foes, Tennessee and Alabama,
For on this field of glory, they would face the football gala.

The air was charged with anticipation, as fans adorned in orange and white,
Their hearts aflutter with hope and dreams, beneath the pale moonlight.
The Volunteers, bold and valiant, took the field with fire in their eyes,
Seeking victory's sweet embrace, beneath the darkened skies.

Beneath the shadowed Neyland's roar, the game commenced its dance,
Each play a step, each yard a chance, in this epic game of chance.
The crimson tide surged forth, their strength and might on display,
But Tennessee's spirit stood unyielding, refusing to be swept away.

Amidst the clash of shoulder pads, the struggle fierce and grand,
Each team fought with heart and soul, for supremacy of this sacred land.
The Vols, led by Peyton's arm, orchestrated their offensive might,
While Alabama's defense, a formidable force, waged a relentless fight.

The game raged on, a battle of wills, the score in constant flux,
As daylight waned and darkness fell, tensions mounted, emotions fluxed.
Then, in a moment of brilliance, destiny smiled upon the Vols,
With a touchdown that ignited hope, to reach their coveted goals.

The echoes of "Rocky Top" resounded, as the crowd erupted in cheer,
Witnessing a triumph of resilience, a victory drawing near.
The clock ticked down, each second an eternity, hearts pounding loud,
And when the final whistle blew, Tennessee's victory was endowed.

The ghosts of Neyland wept with joy, as the Vols emerged triumphant,
For on that fateful night in '95, their spirits rose resplendent.
In the annals of gridiron lore, this clash shall forever be told,
The Tennessee Vols, victors proud, their story eternally bold.

Thus, the echoes of that game remain, a testament to their might,
As Poe would whisper from the shadows, "Nevermore shall fade their light."
For in that hallowed moment, 'neath the moon's ethereal glow,
The Tennessee Vols emerged victorious, their legacy to forever grow.



While it gets the location of the game wrong (it seems to imply it was played in Neyland), a lot of it is correct. This isn't something that is trawled off of the internet like a Google search is, this is created by ChatGPT. Yes, it is just a text predictor, but what is my brain? How am I typing this right now besides my brain giving me the next word to type? Where did this next word come from? I don't know. What if the human brain is just a super advanced text prediction machine?

When do we become worried about this stuff becoming sentient? How will we know?

I know I sound a lot like Chicken Little here, but it is where I am.

 

People think the human brain has magic in it. Deep down, maybe even unconsciously, they think we are not just meat, bone, and fat.

I don't think we have created AGI yet, but I think a lot of people will be in denial if we do.

 

Idk that reads like a flowery description of just about any football game with very little detail other than the most basic ones

 

Norris hit the one hitter this morning

 

Why does that matter? Serious question for you.

This kind of reply is like auto driving cars and the "yeah, but that one car accelerated right into a truck" as if that one incident means computers cannot drive a car. Whereas the 109840303 wrecks a day by humans, we don't bat an eye at whether or not humans can drive.

It is as if we demand perfection from the computer before we will even admit that, maybe, just maybe, something new and scary is happening here.

 

Ya, that the poem would have easily been a middle-of-the-pack poem if you had assigned it to all the posters here is the point. Not that it would be the best poem written.

Also, that is the first draft. You could have further prompted changes and asked for specific details to be included or whatever like incorporating a stanza for each quarter or something. Or change styles from Poe to something else.

 

Prompt: Can you include more facts about the game and less generalized language about football?

Once upon a bleak November eve, in Knoxville's sacred realm,
The year was '95, and Tennessee's gridiron helm
Prepared for a fierce clash with Alabama's crimson tide,
A rivalry steeped in history, where glory and pride reside.

The Vols, led by coach Phillip Fulmer, brimmed with hopes and dreams,
While Alabama's Stallings, resolute, plotted cunning schemes.
Both teams adorned in storied colors, orange and crimson bright,
They took the field at Neyland Stadium, a stage set for their fight.

With Peyton Manning at the helm, Tennessee's maestro of the game,
He orchestrated precision plays, etching his revered name.
On the opposing side, Alabama's defense, fierce and strong,
Their aim to halt the Volunteers, and prove the doubters wrong.

The battle waged from whistle's cry, each yard a bitter strife,
Tennessee's offensive might, striving for a chance at life.
The Crimson Tide struck first, a touchdown on their side,
But the Volunteers roared back, their determination amplified.

As shadows danced upon the field, emotions ran so high,
Tennessee's faithful fans, with raucous cheer, filled the sky.
The Vols' defense, a stalwart wall, repelled Alabama's attack,
Interceptions and fierce tackles, there was no room to slack.

Through the grit and sweat, the score teetered, tit for tat,
Tennessee's Al Wilson, a warrior, leading the defensive brat.
Momentum shifted, fortunes swayed, each play a treasured gem,
And when the dust had settled, victory clung to the hem.

With the game's end drawing near, tension gripped the air,
Tennessee's golden moment, their faithful fans could feel it there.
A final drive, a poised Manning, guiding the Vols to the prize,
As time expired, they sealed their fate, triumph gleamed in their eyes.

The final score, etched in the annals of this fabled bout,
Alabama's Crimson Tide, held to just ten points, no doubt.
But Tennessee, with twenty-two, emerged the victor grand,
A testament to their mettle, the pride of Tennessee's land.

And so, the echoes of that night, forever etched in lore,
The '95 Tennessee-Alabama game, a tale of triumph and more.
In Knoxville's hallowed sanctuary, where legends forever reside,
The Volunteers prevailed, their spirits forever dignified.

Next Prompt: oh, the game was in Legion Field, Alabama, not in Neyland stadium. Can you correct for that?

Once upon a bleak November eve, in Legion Field's domain,
The year was '95, where football's passions would reign,
Tennessee's Volunteers and Alabama's Crimson Tide,
On that fateful battleground, their rivalry set to collide.

Under the watchful eyes of Coach Phillip Fulmer's command,
The Vols stepped onto the field, with aspirations firsthand,
Led by the gifted Peyton Manning, their field general supreme,
They sought to conquer Alabama's might, their championship dream.

Across from them, Stallings' Alabama, staunch and unyielding,
Their defense a fortress, daunting and unwilling,
In Birmingham's Legion Field, the clash of titans ensued,
The echoes of battle, fierce and relentless, imbued.

Manning's arm orchestrated the Vols' offensive quest,
While Alabama's defenders fought with grit, their talent put to the test,
A duel of strategy, of hard-hitting plays and tactical might,
Legion Field bore witness, under the floodlights' gleaming light.

Alabama struck first, a touchdown to ignite their flame,
But Tennessee's response was swift, Manning commanding the game,
The Vols' defense, a wall of determination and pride,
Stifling Alabama's advances, their resolve hard to override.

With each passing moment, tension soared in the air,
Legion Field's atmosphere electrified, a symphony of fanfare,
The pendulum swung, fortunes shifted with each play,
And the Volunteers battled on, forging their own way.

As the shadows stretched across the gridiron's expanse,
The Vols pressed on, their spirit refusing to chance,
A score that teetered on the edge, neither side giving in,
But Tennessee's resolve grew stronger, fueled by passion from within.

With the game's end looming, the final drive at hand,
Manning's steady guidance led the Vols through the promised land,
And when the clock expired, the echoes of victory soared,
Tennessee emerged triumphant, their legacy forevermore.

In Legion Field's embrace, the score etched in time,
The Volunteers' triumph, their victory in prime,
And though the game's details may fade, the spirit will not yield,
For '95 Tennessee versus Alabama, a tale forever sealed.

All of this in less time than it takes me to type the questions out. Yes, it says November instead of October, but again, that is not the point of all of this.

 

Yeah it's a work multiplier in my mind. I have to baby it and guide it but it can output something that's serviceable in the end quicker than I can do it manually. But it can't function without a human in the loop.

 

It does work without a human when it is in training. And we are at the beginning of this stuff, not the end. Hence my concern.

Look at how current AI's learn how to play games like chess and go. They just give it the rules and say "play a 100,000,000 games", and when it is done, it can beat every human on the planet without breaking a sweat.

 

We for sure have magic and are more than just bone fat and muscle.

the question is can create something that can also tap into that.


Hard to say where we’re at on the S curve to know if it’s going to totally remake society