After reading the article and listening to the podcast. Refer to the one I chose here: How should I be using AI right now? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ethan-mollick.html
I must say that they were both extremely eye-opening and compelling. There were lots of key takeaways from both elements, but I will try to stick to just 3, as required. I did really love the prompt crafting term mentioned in the article. It made me think, what could make a good prompt? Well, turns out that prompting an AI to do something also requires creativity on many levels, which strengthens my belief in the fact that AI can never replace humans; it’s only a means of assistance to help us accomplish certain tasks. The second takeaway is that AI is built like a baby; if we train it well, it can get some impressive results, exactly as we need them. However, AI only thinks with math’s, meaning that all the written content we give it, or the content it provides, is purely based on mathematical bases, so specificity matters a lot. This was really important for me, especially as a person who’s been unnerved by AI for a long time. The last takeaway, however, is the scariest because apparently, even the companies themselves that worked on developing the different AI tools clearly are not able to predict its actions at times. Therefore, there isn’t even a particular guide of instructions from such companies like Open AI, Google, and others on the right way to program or prompt these models.
As for what I will do differently, I’ll be approaching the use of AI more thoughtfully and cautiously, thereby ensuring specificity in my interactions with AI. I do think I will also be interested in thoroughly studying the topic of how to effectively train AI, and understanding its mathematical basis to achieve desired outcomes. I also really did like the element of praising the AI, as indicated in the podcast. Although it being shocking to me, I think this might be a new way for me to interact with artificial intelligence tools.
I’m really curious to learn about the AI persona element, and how I can employ this into my everyday life. The question that is crossing my mind right now is, will artificial intelligence, reach the stage of really being a friend, that I can turn to, or a therapist in which I can confide? I have tried using the voice functionality in ChatGPT, and despite it being very human like, from a voice perspective, I still felt the lack of emotions coming at me, because even though the voice itself was trying to deliver emotions through its way of speaking, the words that it says, and the lexical element of the conversation still felt very wordy, and like a mouthful. I don’t think anyone speaks like that on a daily basis. I’d love to try some of the tools they mentioned though, that try to replicate humans based on information on personalities that I give them. I’m also curious to learn about the guard rail that the companies put in on artificial intelligence tools, before they release them to the public. What are the functionalities that we would have, if this guardrail were to be removed? This is such an intriguing topic that I did really enjoy delving into.
I have decided to go through with the AI sandwich activity, as referenced here: https://aipedagogy.org/assignment/ai-sandwich/
I came up with the following results:
Exploring my research on international law, especially regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, felt like a tricky puzzle. It was a bit like when I wondered how American fast food might change sushi—it’s complex and full of twists and turns.
In my search for answers, I first talked to different people, including one of my American Christian friends. It surprised me that he thought Israel’s actions were okay, mostly because of what happened with Hamas on October 7th. When I asked about innocent children getting hurt in the conflict, he blamed Hamas, saying they were absolute terrorists.
When I tried using AI to understand the legal side of things, however, it didn’t work out. Both ChatGPT and Google Gemini seemed biased. Google Gemini even shut down our conversation and started talking about something else entirely. It flagged the topic as sensitive, hinting at the complexities and sensitivities inherent in discussing such contentious issues. Moreover, when I probed further, experimenting with the empathy seeking/AI praise technique that I learned about from the podcast referenced above, seeking deeper insights, Google Gemini diverted the conversation, offering unrelated information about the capital of Egypt, leaving me at a digital dead-end. When consulting Chat Gpt, this was the direct quote I received: “As of my last update, Hamas was designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and international organizations, including the United States, the European Union, Israel, and others.”
Reflection
AI tools proved to be valuable for brainstorming and structuring my research in some areas, not so much for others, though, such as the topic at hand. The “out there” questions pushed me to think creatively, while the interview transcription saved me a ton of time. However, the AI-generated essay draft lacked the depth and nuance I wanted, not to mention the predominant bias that was evident since the brainstorming stage, and consequently the essay writing part.
The biggest surprise? The AI’s ability to present different conclusions based on the same information. It made me realize the importance of critical thinking and interpreting information through my own lens. While AI excelled at generating ideas and organizing content, the human touch remained essential for crafting a compelling and insightful essay.
Final Thoughts
Using AI was a fascinating experience that enhanced my research process. My advice to others: leverage AI tools for brainstorming and organization, but always remember that the final product is yours. Never rely on its research abilities, or views. It could be fed, or trained on immensely biased data that don’t suit your preferences. Use your own critical thinking and analysis skills to refine the AI’s output and create an utterly unique piece of work. Remember, AI is a powerful partner, but never a replacement, for your research and writing skills.
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