There’s an inviting blue circle where the familiar hourglass on the social media app on my phone once was. Ask Meta AI anything or Search, it invites and, going a step farther, he/she/it presents options based on the algorithm. Best outdoor furniture. Digital photography tips. What makes D.S. Motors unique? (I have no idea who or what D.S. Motors is. No idea where that one came from, Meta.)
All I would have to do is click a link and the knowledge of the ages is at my fingertips. (Excuse me while I remove my tongue from where it’s firmly embedded in my cheek.)
It sends me a message via Messenger. My name is Meta AI. Think of me like an assistant who’s here to help you learn, plan, and connect. What can I help you with today? Creepy. Somehow, something I search for on Google results ends up in my chit-chat with Meta AI and he/she/it offers information. There is, however, a caveat: Messages are generated by AI. Some may be inaccurate or inappropriate.
This morning, I received a text message on my phone from Gemini. Hi, I’m Gemini in Google Messages. Chat with me to draft messages, brainstorm ideas, plan events, or simply have a fun conversation. He/she/it, too, offers suggestions. Help me write a difficult message. Sound like an expert. Write a birthday message. The intrusion disturbs me.
That’s a hard pass, Gemini. You too, Meta AI.
I have, and still do, use AI in the form of spell check, Google Translate,ProWritingAid and probably others that have slipped into my life. Alexa? Yes, she lives here. The capital-A Algorithm is one most, if not all, of us are influenced by. What we see on social media or news feeds, the results fed to us when we do online searches, who we interact with the most or the least, it’s all curated.
We were warned by those who created it that it was all moving too quickly. Artificial Intelligence doesn’t scare me, but it does concern me. Just like the way my brain slips so easily into neutral when I’m online troubles me. Ages ago, when I was in school learning computer programming, we touched on AI. We even teamed up and created programs with limited intelligence, but they were nothing like what we live with every day now.
There’s even an AI assistant on this blog that would, if I asked, improve the title, offer feedback on the post, and generate an image to go with it. I decided to try it and the title suggested for this post is Understanding Artificial Intelligence: Impact on Social Media and Daily Life and this is the suggested featured image. No thanks.
I’m taking a hard look at many things through different filters these days. How about you?
In other, better, real-life news, Gerry and I enjoyed a pleasant afternoon at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa here in beautiful downtown Moose Jaw this week, and another in the gorgeous Wakamow Valley also right here in the Jaw the next day when it was Molly’s turn at the doggy spa.
Meanwhile, spring has sprung, the garden is ever-so-slowly growing, farmers are seeding, and real life carries on.
