I’m still trying to figure out what to say about AI. As a technologist and serial entrepreneur, I get asked about it more often than some. AI has been evolving so rapidly and steadily over my lifetime that most do not even perceive its ubiquity in their daily lives already. In the early days, OCR (optical character recognition) seemed miraculous, leading to companies like Google (in its infancy) to proclaim that every written work would soon be available to the world for free, and that libraries would soon be obsolete. Now OCR is, well, boring, and available to anyone with a phone, and capable of real-time translation to any language. Then voice-recognition became ubiquitous. If you’ve ever used Siri or Alexa, you’re using what most now refer to as AI. It too, has become boring. As we continue to expect, and even demand more, the evolution will continue.
Most of the questions I get about AI are really asking about a “brain bucket”. Over the years I have found that many people just want to compartmentalize things as they search to make the complex simple. If they can reduce technology, or music genres, or politics into morality “brain buckets,” proclaiming entire categories as evil or good, they can choose to ignore or promote, criticize or aggrandize, based on what they think are “clear” moral choices. I have found, though, that brain buckets are too simplistic, and in some cases both dehumanizing and even immoral in their own right.
Clearly there are immoral choices one can make when using technology, music, or political power, or any realm of creating or cultivating. But in my opinion, that’s not where the conversation should be centered. Instead, I’m asking myself and my friends whether AI can become an instrument that, when well played, can help us to love better and live better.
This requires a much deeper and broader understanding of the technology and its applications rather than a simplistic brain bucket answer. AI is not amoral, but it is not intrinsically immoral or moral either. The answers exist in the tension, the borders of technology where few dare to stalk. They require patient and careful thought and a stance of curiosity and incisive wisdom. In short, they require humans to do what only we can do -- if we refuse to become binary in our choices, which, in the worst imitation of a computer is often the most inhumane decision we can make.
Ken, thank you for this thoughtful response. Much appreciated contribution to the topic. It is so true that by the time everyone is talking about (fill in the blank) it's been doing the work, having the influence, for years, even decades. I like your brain bucket illustration. I encounter this often where well-meaning music listeners want to think they're honoring me by dragging Spotify through the mire. "I'd rather buy a CD and support the artist." Sadly, as much as I appreciate this, manufacturing CDs does not help me. You get the point, I know you do. Cultural adjustment and assimilation, while remaining curious and hopefully wise and discerning is hard work. I empathize with everyone struggling. I do feel fortunate that I rarely experience the new as a threat even when I'm disinterested or think this or that is just sketchy. I hope that people will come to understand that fear and compartmentalizing are usually far away from the generative our hearts actually long for. Stay the course. Peace.
Another wonderful episode Charlie! The way you brought it all together in the final minutes was very powerful, thought provoking, & meaningful.
And brought me back to my days in the early/mid 90’s as a college student when I had aspirations of moving to Nashville... I was a subscriber to the Art House newsletter. Your words about how our desire to create comes from our being image bearers of God just struct me so deeply. “That’s what that is?!?! That’s why I am a creative person who wants to make music and crafts and little drawings and cakes and cookies & what not?!? WOW! It all makes sense now! This is an act of worship!”
Jennifer, loved your comment! And, I'm glad some of that Art House stuff stuck and came back around. Yes, you're doing it. We are always creating and making evident what we love by what we give ourselves to. Peace to you and keep listening. I appreciate your support—always!
I’m still trying to figure out what to say about AI. As a technologist and serial entrepreneur, I get asked about it more often than some. AI has been evolving so rapidly and steadily over my lifetime that most do not even perceive its ubiquity in their daily lives already. In the early days, OCR (optical character recognition) seemed miraculous, leading to companies like Google (in its infancy) to proclaim that every written work would soon be available to the world for free, and that libraries would soon be obsolete. Now OCR is, well, boring, and available to anyone with a phone, and capable of real-time translation to any language. Then voice-recognition became ubiquitous. If you’ve ever used Siri or Alexa, you’re using what most now refer to as AI. It too, has become boring. As we continue to expect, and even demand more, the evolution will continue.
Most of the questions I get about AI are really asking about a “brain bucket”. Over the years I have found that many people just want to compartmentalize things as they search to make the complex simple. If they can reduce technology, or music genres, or politics into morality “brain buckets,” proclaiming entire categories as evil or good, they can choose to ignore or promote, criticize or aggrandize, based on what they think are “clear” moral choices. I have found, though, that brain buckets are too simplistic, and in some cases both dehumanizing and even immoral in their own right.
Clearly there are immoral choices one can make when using technology, music, or political power, or any realm of creating or cultivating. But in my opinion, that’s not where the conversation should be centered. Instead, I’m asking myself and my friends whether AI can become an instrument that, when well played, can help us to love better and live better.
This requires a much deeper and broader understanding of the technology and its applications rather than a simplistic brain bucket answer. AI is not amoral, but it is not intrinsically immoral or moral either. The answers exist in the tension, the borders of technology where few dare to stalk. They require patient and careful thought and a stance of curiosity and incisive wisdom. In short, they require humans to do what only we can do -- if we refuse to become binary in our choices, which, in the worst imitation of a computer is often the most inhumane decision we can make.
Ken, thank you for this thoughtful response. Much appreciated contribution to the topic. It is so true that by the time everyone is talking about (fill in the blank) it's been doing the work, having the influence, for years, even decades. I like your brain bucket illustration. I encounter this often where well-meaning music listeners want to think they're honoring me by dragging Spotify through the mire. "I'd rather buy a CD and support the artist." Sadly, as much as I appreciate this, manufacturing CDs does not help me. You get the point, I know you do. Cultural adjustment and assimilation, while remaining curious and hopefully wise and discerning is hard work. I empathize with everyone struggling. I do feel fortunate that I rarely experience the new as a threat even when I'm disinterested or think this or that is just sketchy. I hope that people will come to understand that fear and compartmentalizing are usually far away from the generative our hearts actually long for. Stay the course. Peace.
Charlie, I have thought about that Art House newsletter so many times over the years. You really have no idea.
I hope to unearth it from a box at my parents’ house one of these days. Oh the treasures I might find in their garage or attic from years gone by...
Another wonderful episode Charlie! The way you brought it all together in the final minutes was very powerful, thought provoking, & meaningful.
And brought me back to my days in the early/mid 90’s as a college student when I had aspirations of moving to Nashville... I was a subscriber to the Art House newsletter. Your words about how our desire to create comes from our being image bearers of God just struct me so deeply. “That’s what that is?!?! That’s why I am a creative person who wants to make music and crafts and little drawings and cakes and cookies & what not?!? WOW! It all makes sense now! This is an act of worship!”
Jennifer, loved your comment! And, I'm glad some of that Art House stuff stuck and came back around. Yes, you're doing it. We are always creating and making evident what we love by what we give ourselves to. Peace to you and keep listening. I appreciate your support—always!