OT: Do any of you have the CHATGPT $20/month version? And if so is it worth the cost? *******

18IsTheMan

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I do not. I use the free version to make silly pictures sometimes. That's about all. I'm anti-AI though.
 
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18IsTheMan

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If you dont mind me asking, why are you anti-AI? I find it extremely helpful in so many things.

Because I don't think it's good to have the prospect of a single technology wiping out many entire career fields, which AI will certainly do. Already is beginning to do. This isn't a matter of the taxi driver having to transition from driving a horse and buggy to learning to drive a car.

Yes as technology advances, some careers are rendered obsolete, but more often people in those careers just have to learn new technology. AI promises to make millions upon millions of job obsolete. Some see that as wonderful progress. Just my opinion, I don't. They are already exploring AI physicians, where AI evaluates the patient and makes the diagnosis. Surgical robots run by AI, rendering surgeons obsolete, AI classrooms, rendering teachers obsolete. Air traffic controllers, etc. It goes on and on. Will all of this ultimately come to fruition? Probably not. Much will probably come to partial fruition. But they will simply keep pushing the boundaries further and further for what AI can do.

Also, and this may be my main reason, it's a terrible thing for people to stop thinking. The job I work in they are pushing us to use AI more and more to make decisions, but I don't want to stop thinking. Studies have already shown people who rely on AI have far less brain activity than those who do not. AI unavoidably makes people lazy thinkers. It's the internet on steroids. With the internet, we have instant access to the cumulative knowledge of mankind. You'd think we'd be a society of super geniuses, but we're woefully intellectually behind ancestors b/c we don't actually have to do any work to get information. That will be amplified a thousand fold with AI. AI will, without question, make people dumber. There's no way to avoid it. Look at GPS. 30 years ago, you just had to use paper map or a road atlas to find your way around. We managed. These days, people are helpless in a new area without GPS.

I look at it a lot in terms of what world my children will learn and grow in. I hate the thought of them living in world run by AI where they never have to think.

I also understand that we are not capable of restraint. I don't deny that AI can have some useful applications. It's not a matter of people using AI to summarize large documents or to assist in analyzing complex problems. People want AI to do absolutely EVERYTHING imaginable (refer to 2nd paragraph above).

It draws to mind the movie Wall-E (a more apt movie reference, I think, than my friend's Terminator reference above). Nobody had to do anything for themselves anymore so they all just became morbidly obese and rode around on hover scooters 24 hours a day. It was funny in the movie, but it's what we are hurtling towards. Life imitates art. It's kind of like the GLP-1 drugs everyone is in love with for weight loss. Forget showing some self control and dieting and exercising to lose weight...just give me a shot in my blubbery thigh so I can lose weight without any work.

I'm all about the human element, which I have made clear with vocal opposition to instant replay in college football.

I'm very well aware the pro-AI people will say all the things I've pointed as negatives are actually wonderful progress. But you asked why I'm anti-AI, and that's why. Some prominent folks, even in technology fields, have voiced concerns about the all-in approach many have with AI. My hope is there will be some kind of restraining pushback, but I'm not hopeful.
 
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18IsTheMan

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Livery yards, black smiths making horseshoes etc went through different transitions than simply being drivers.
Yes, I noted above that technology and advancement sometimes renders careers obsolete.

But never has the world had the prospect of a single technology rendering such a diverse field of careers obsolete. Surgeons, taxi drivers, air traffic controllers, food service workers, teachers, etc. Will ALL of that happen? Probably not, not completely anyway. But the prospect is there and people are exploring every imaginable application.

Again, just me, but I don't think it's a great idea.
 
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Gamecock Jacque

Joined Dec 20, 2020
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Yes, I noted above that technology and advancement sometimes renders careers obsolete.

But never has the world had the prospect of a single technology rendering such a diverse field of careers obsolete. Surgeons, taxi drivers, air traffic controllers, food service workers, teachers, etc. Will ALL of that happen? Probably not, not completely anyway. But the prospect is there and people are exploring every imaginable application.

Again, just me, but I don't think it's a great idea.
I guess I'm still waiting on true artificial intelligence. What I've seen so far still seems to be algorithm based instead of true self learning.
 

HI Cock1

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Aristotle decried having a written language and putting knowledge in books. He thought it would render professors like him useless if someone could just open a book and read his words. The fear over AI is similar. It's a tool to be more productive, much like the calculator was, and will create a need for other jobs that haven't been imagined yet.
 

Uscg1984

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Freddie, it's my understanding you are retired and enjoying your golden years. What kind of complex problems are you dealing with that makes you think about upgrading to the pay-version of an AI program? (not a criticism, my friend, just trying to understand)
 

Uscg1984

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I admittedly don't know much about AI programs, but when Google AI gives me a response to a question, about 50% of the time, the answer is way off-base. Fortunately, I'm usually asking a question on a topic in which I have enough background to recognize that it is either flat-out wrong or misunderstood the question.
 

SILVERSPUR-rier

Joined Nov 18, 2004
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It draws to mind the movie Wall-E (a more apt movie reference, I think, than my friend's Terminator reference above). Nobody had to do anything for themselves anymore so they all just became morbidly obese and rode around on hover scooters 24 hours a day. It was funny in the movie, but it's what we are hurtling towards.
I think we are starting to live in the real life version of the movie Idiocracy. For those who haven't seen it, it is scary how its a reflection of our society today...
 

I4CtheFuture

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Irony: My GF (who actually was offered a job at the NSA but she turned it down) teaches AI classes in Charlotte.

She's extremely anti-AI, for reasons I haven't fully explored yet simply because I don't care. The feeling I get from her is that she's peeked behind the curtain and didn't like what she saw coming. Total speculation on my part, though.
 

kidrobinski

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Listened to a podcast interview with one of the AI designers that was a tad concerning; among other things what concerned me the most regarding its evolution was his statement that they (designers) know what AI does they just don’t know exactly how it does it.

I don’t pay for ChatGPT but it does some amazing stuff. I am a musician and I have tried for years to configure a piece of my equipment to add the different effects necessary to emulate songs/sounds to be authentic to the original remotely without the need for me to physically step on pedals. I knew it could be done because I had seen it done but google searches and various forums had gotten me nowhere. I described what I wanted to do to ChatGPT and it not only told me how to do it, it told me how to do it with my specific equipment. It was amazing. Its also told me how to mod a particular guitar in a manner that the online gurus had said was not doable; told me how to do it, what to get to do it, and where to get what I needed. It’s pretty amazing.
 

USCEE82

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Because I don't think it's good to have the prospect of a single technology wiping out many entire career fields, which AI will certainly do. Already is beginning to do. This isn't a matter of the taxi driver having to transition from driving a horse and buggy to learning to drive a car.

Yes as technology advances, some careers are rendered obsolete, but more often people in those careers just have to learn new technology. AI promises to make millions upon millions of job obsolete. Some see that as wonderful progress. Just my opinion, I don't. They are already exploring AI physicians, where AI evaluates the patient and makes the diagnosis. Surgical robots run by AI, rendering surgeons obsolete, AI classrooms, rendering teachers obsolete. Air traffic controllers, etc. It goes on and on. Will all of this ultimately come to fruition? Probably not. Much will probably come to partial fruition. But they will simply keep pushing the boundaries further and further for what AI can do.

Also, and this may be my main reason, it's a terrible thing for people to stop thinking. The job I work in they are pushing us to use AI more and more to make decisions, but I don't want to stop thinking. Studies have already shown people who rely on AI have far less brain activity than those who do not. AI unavoidably makes people lazy thinkers. It's the internet on steroids. With the internet, we have instant access to the cumulative knowledge of mankind. You'd think we'd be a society of super geniuses, but we're woefully intellectually behind ancestors b/c we don't actually have to do any work to get information. That will be amplified a thousand fold with AI. AI will, without question, make people dumber. There's no way to avoid it. Look at GPS. 30 years ago, you just had to use paper map or a road atlas to find your way around. We managed. These days, people are helpless in a new area without GPS.

I look at it a lot in terms of what world my children will learn and grow in. I hate the thought of them living in world run by AI where they never have to think.

I also understand that we are not capable of restraint. I don't deny that AI can have some useful applications. It's not a matter of people using AI to summarize large documents or to assist in analyzing complex problems. People want AI to do absolutely EVERYTHING imaginable (refer to 2nd paragraph above).

It draws to mind the movie Wall-E (a more apt movie reference, I think, than my friend's Terminator reference above). Nobody had to do anything for themselves anymore so they all just became morbidly obese and rode around on hover scooters 24 hours a day. It was funny in the movie, but it's what we are hurtling towards. Life imitates art. It's kind of like the GLP-1 drugs everyone is in love with for weight loss. Forget showing some self control and dieting and exercising to lose weight...just give me a shot in my blubbery thigh so I can lose weight without any work.

I'm all about the human element, which I have made clear with vocal opposition to instant replay in college football.

I'm very well aware the pro-AI people will say all the things I've pointed as negatives are actually wonderful progress. But you asked why I'm anti-AI, and that's why. Some prominent folks, even in technology fields, have voiced concerns about the all-in approach many have with AI. My hope is there will be some kind of restraining pushback, but I'm not hopeful.
Totally agree with continuing to use your own noggin for every day things even though a computer can do it faster.

The GPS dependency is real for the younger set. I know someone who uses GPS to get around in their hometown.

If I'm traveling somewhere I'm not familiar with, I'll always look at the route on Google maps before I leave just to get a mental image of where I'm going.

As silly as it sounds, I balance my checkbook with my head not a calculator. I know, some of you might think what is a checkbook and why waste time checking behind the bank. Old habits die hard.🙂

Use it or lose it.
 

paladin181

Joined Aug 28, 2014
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AI is very resource intensive. Those servers burn tons of energy making the AI work, and that, in turn increases energy needs, energy costs and environmental impact.
 
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Yes, I noted above that technology and advancement sometimes renders careers obsolete.

But never has the world had the prospect of a single technology rendering such a diverse field of careers obsolete. Surgeons, taxi drivers, air traffic controllers, food service workers, teachers, etc. Will ALL of that happen? Probably not, not completely anyway. But the prospect is there and people are exploring every imaginable application.

Again, just me, but I don't think it's a great idea.
It is utopian, but maybe it is posssible that AI, quantum computing and robots will be able to do all the work and people can live without fear, poverty and disease.
 
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Listened to a podcast interview with one of the AI designers that was a tad concerning; among other things what concerned me the most regarding its evolution was his statement that they (designers) know what AI does they just don’t know exactly how it does it.

I don’t pay for ChatGPT but it does some amazing stuff. I am a musician and I have tried for years to configure a piece of my equipment to add the different effects necessary to emulate songs/sounds to be authentic to the original remotely without the need for me to physically step on pedals. I knew it could be done because I had seen it done but google searches and various forums had gotten me nowhere. I described what I wanted to do to ChatGPT and it not only told me how to do it, it told me how to do it with my specific equipment. It was amazing. Its also told me how to mod a particular guitar in a manner that the online gurus had said was not doable; told me how to do it, what to get to do it, and where to get what I needed. It’s pretty amazing.
I also use the free version on my phone. I also have DeepSeek, but its answers are long and complicated. I have not tried GROK. But I like ChatGPT. It saves me a lot of time.
 
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kidrobinski

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I also use the free version on my phone. I also have DeepSeek, but its answers are long and complicated. I have not tried GROK. But I like ChatGPT. It saves me a lot of time.
My daughter showed that you can give it (ChatGPT) something to go on and it will write a complete song, verses, chorus, bridge, complete with printed music. And very good ones at that.
 

paladin181

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It is utopian, but maybe it is posssible that AI, quantum computing and robots will be able to do all the work and people can live without fear, poverty and disease.
It could, but unfortunately it will be a tool for the ultra rich to continue separating what little wealth remains from the masses.
 
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I4CtheFuture

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AI is very resource intensive. Those servers burn tons of energy making the AI work, and that, in turn increases energy needs, energy costs and environmental impact.
Oh yeah, that is one thing I remember my GF talking about - the ridiculous amounts of energy it takes to run AI and datacenters ....and here's the kicker - she's a diehard conservative, not a tree hugger at all. So, you know it's bad. Lol.

My daughter showed that you can give it (ChatGPT) something to go on and it will write a complete song, verses, chorus, bridge, complete with printed music. And very good ones at that.
I saw that on a Joe Rogan podcast and was absolutely floored..... found the little clip of it..... matter of fact, I saved it in my everyday music playlist.

 
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Gamecock Jacque

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Oh yeah, that is one thing I remember my GF talking about - the ridiculous amounts of energy it takes to run AI and datacenters ....and here's the kicker - she's a diehard conservative, not a tree hugger at all. So, you know it's bad. Lol.


I saw that on a Joe Rogan podcast and was absolutely floored..... found the little clip of it..... matter of fact, I saved it in my everyday music playlist.


AI server farms will soon have their own mini nuclear reactors for energy.
 
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I am not a materialist so I don't believe that AI will ever achieve consciousness or awareness. That will always remain unique to human beings as a gift from God.
 

18IsTheMan

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I am not a materialist so I don't believe that AI will ever achieve consciousness or awareness. That will always remain unique to human beings as a gift from God.
Yeah, that stuff doesn't really concern me. Mostly just the obsoletion of a wide swath of career fields and becoming overly reliant on it to the detriment of society.