Since we have had several threads about education ...I thought I would throw some AI stuff into the mix. I don't use AI ....knowingly. LOL It turns out it is ubiquitous- everything from calling and scheduling, to looking up Air Travel, and mapping out routes.
I do check on CHATGPT every few months since it first came out. When I last checked in September...it was version 5...and it wowed me. And yesterday, after chatting with my grandkids (11 and 13) I had to look up six different AI systems. Because that is how many they use!
So first Chat GPT, they think if for (in their words) "Academic stuff, you know writing, research, learning...things like that." And in just the three months since I last checked, that version (5) is now way smarter and effective than it was then. Like having a PH.D, and a personal assistant in your pocket.
But the kids tell me that is for school stuff. If you want to make a video, the recommended another one (I think it was called "Synthesis ") Then they recommended another one for making music, and yet another for creating games...or to tutor you in gaming. Yikes. And yet another for creating pictures for stories or books. And all of them are wicked good at what you ask them to do.
But in my age group (Mid seventies) what I am seeing most, is my buddies are using AI as friends. Yep. Two of my widowed buddies, now converse with their AI's for stuff as mundane as "Talk to me at breakfast like a girlfriend would." Or" Watch the Football or Basketball game with me...and dialog like a fan or couch quarterback would" ...and they do. Then even wish him good night, and turn out the lights!
One of them let me listen in, as he talked to his AI (he named Alice)- about the best way to steep tea, versus making the best cup of coffee. One of the younger men I know, wants to buy one of those Japanese Robots and teach it to be his girlfriend. As he says: "I have never dated a girl who didn't criticize me, or point out my mistakes and failures. Wouldn't it be cool to have a girlfriend who just wants to make me happy, and not how unhappy I make her."
I told him to get a dog.
He laughed.
"Can't hold hands and talk about things with a dog. They are great listeners but not very good conversationalists."
And he as a side job teaching 30 year old women and men, how to create Avatars and AI's that can help you set up appointments, talk to you about books and music, and act as a personal Assistants. But instead of saying (in a Robotic Voice) you have a "girl next door voice " say: "Hey John, don't forget the Dentist appointment you have on Wednesday...and maybe you could stop by the cleaners and pick up that suit you dropped off last week. An oh, do you want me to dig up a quick recipe for dinner? Miss ya, Drive safe. Talk when you get home. "
Yowza! And he told me I don't want to hear what folks are training intimate robots to say...or do. I am so glad my friends are flesh and blood, with creaky bones and bad hearing