The latest AI technologies such as ChatGTP and image generation threaten humanity in more ways than one. I already previously wrote about them at some length, but today I’d like to explain one way in which they propose a threat to us.
Unlike the human generation of art, AI art generation can be done at a much faster rate compared to the rate at which humans produce art. In fact, it’s not just faster but an order of magnitude faster. Thus, AI content generation promises to essentially replace human content generation in several realms.
Why is this harmful? There are two primary reasons:
- Removal of purpose: allowing computers to do the mental work of humans removes the type of work that we are most suited for, and that gives us a purpose. Unlike menial labor that was the domain of machines decades ago, now we are attempting to replace what gives us a purpose. Thus, instead of being a convenience that makes our lives easier, the current level of AI is a convenience that makes life more purposeless.
- Removal of communication: human-generated content is one way in which we communicate to each other and rely on each other. By creating a system where AI-generated content is cheaper (because our hyper-capitalistic system only gives worth to what makes money), it removes our awareness that there are other thinking and feeling humans out there.
Companies like OpenAI do not care about these disastrous consequences. They do not approach their immense power with precaution. Some developers of AI state that they want to be ethical, but their level of precaution is reckless compared with the precaution that we should be using in the development of these technologies.
Therefore, if you can, resist AI technology at all costs.