05 Jun Ignore the (Gen AI) FUD and Hype
Its speculation and a distraction
There seems to be ever more posts and ‘information’ online (I’m looking at you LinkedIn) that is either:
- Hype – often posted by evangelists and sales folk – that points to the extreme impact that AI is projected to have
- FUD (fear uncertainty and doubt) – often posted by people who have other vested interests (e.g. a perceived threat to their own profession) or more general fears to air.
Both of these viewpoints are distractions and my advice is to ignore them and focus on your own situations and scenarios. Gen AI maybe a strong fit for you and your business in the current situation to solve a current problem, or it may not.
My view (read: best guess) is that Generative AI is going to have a significant impact on society and our work lives, but that change (all be it accelerating) is part of life. It is going to happen and (if you are fortunate) you can choose how to respond.
Take advantage now, or hang on and see what actually happens (spoiler: no body really knows with any level of accuracy when it comes to individual circumstances.)
With all complexities in life there is no single or simple answer, rather there is a process to follow and uncertainty to understand and live with. People that are better at this will be better at adapting and will probably thrive through using Gen AI.
As you might guess I’m quite bullish about Gen AI, I see it (somewhat generically) it is an accelerator, or new type of engine, that can provide additional power in a wide variety of situations.
The art then is to have a clear process to follow that resolves to a relevant conclusion at some agreed level of confidence and then to take action… and of course learn from those actions outcomes.
You might also consider simple rules like: Start small, learn, iterate, take bigger bets when you have more confidence and data … etc.
If you would like to have a sensible and grounded conversation about the use of Generative AI – please do contact me!
Here is what ChatGPT 4o had to say on the topic during a conversation I had with my phone earlier:
Avoid the Hype and Forget the FUD
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often surrounded by both hype and FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt). To navigate this landscape, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what AI can and cannot do, avoiding both over-enthusiasm and undue skepticism.
Understanding AI’s Potential
AI has the potential to revolutionize many sectors, from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment. Its capabilities, such as analyzing vast amounts of data, automating repetitive tasks, and even understanding natural language, open doors to unprecedented efficiencies and innovations.
The Hype
The hype around AI often exaggerates its capabilities. Terms like “superintelligent AI” and “autonomous decision-making” are sometimes thrown around without a clear grasp of their current feasibility. While it’s exciting to envision a future where AI handles all our tasks, we’re not there yet. AI today is powerful but narrow in scope. It excels in specific tasks but lacks the general intelligence to handle a wide variety of functions without human guidance.
The FUD
On the flip side, FUD about AI can be equally misleading. Concerns about job displacement, ethical dilemmas, and loss of control are valid but often overstated. History shows that technological advancements create new jobs even as they render some obsolete. Ethical and control issues require careful consideration, but with proper regulations and ethical guidelines, these challenges can be managed.
Balancing Perspective
To make the most of AI, it’s essential to balance perspective. Recognize its potential while understanding its limitations. Stay informed about technological developments, and approach AI with a critical but open mind. This balanced approach will help in leveraging AI effectively, avoiding both unrealistic expectations and unnecessary fears.
Conclusion
AI is a powerful tool that, when used wisely, can bring significant benefits. By avoiding the hype and forgetting the FUD, we can focus on practical applications and responsible development, ensuring that AI serves humanity’s best interests.
Examples of FUD and Hype
FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) about AI:
- AI will lead to massive job losses and unemployment.
- AI systems will become uncontrollable and pose existential threats to humanity.
- AI will be used for widespread surveillance and erosion of privacy.
- AI biases will perpetuate and amplify social inequalities.
- AI will be used to create highly sophisticated and undetectable misinformation.
HYPE around AI:
- AI will revolutionize healthcare by providing perfect diagnostics and personalized treatments.
- AI will solve climate change by optimizing energy use and developing new technologies.
- AI will create fully autonomous vehicles that eliminate traffic accidents.
- AI will enable fully autonomous customer service, making human agents obsolete.
- AI will lead to unprecedented levels of creativity and innovation in arts and entertainment.