By I am just finishing up a course on the history of journalism which has dealt a lot with reporter bias and fake news. The final issue the course members are discussing today is AI and the future of journalism. It really is a more global issue–AI and the future. This hour long webinar was very thought provoking and, for me, frightening: (https://www.cfr.org/event/reporting-ai-and-future-journalism).
Coincidentally, In the ModPo course I am also taking, the first week features Emily Dickinson’s poem “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” Out of curiosity, I went to the ChatGPT site and asked AI to generate a Dickinson poem. Here’s the result:
In quiet fields where daisies bloom,
And bees hum their gentle tune,
I wandered, lost in thought’s embrace,
In this secluded, sacred space.
The world outside, a distant hum,
As if a dream, a fabled sum,
For here, in solitude profound,
My soul’s true voice is often found.
The breeze, a whisper through the trees,
Unfurls the secrets of the leaves,
And in the hush of nature’s grace,
I find my solace, find my place
No need for words, no need for rhyme,
In nature’s arms, I bide my time,
For in this stillness, I am free,
To be myself, just simply me.
So, in this meadow, I reside,
Where earthly cares are set aside,
And in the quiet, I have found,
A peace that truly does astound.
Any thoughts?
Seasonal Reading 
Thanks for sharing B – I have to now include language about ChatGPT in my syllabi. I want to make an assignment where I tell them to use ChatGPT to generate a paper and then correct the mistakes. Instead of pretending the technology does not exist, put it right under their noses.
As for the poem – I would say this is a terrible ED poem and she would be mortified. No dashes! Too many superfluous words! Does not read like her much at all except for some mention of bees and other things. The being myself stanza gives Whitman more than ED in my estimation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, the poem is comical, but I do think that as generative AI becomes more sophisticated, it will have broad impacts including a serious impact on the arts–positive and negative. I think there is an urgency to have serious conversations about best practice and transparency. The way you are bringing AI into your classroom is right on track. I think AI development left unchecked is very dangerous. The creators of AI are well aware of the risks, but I don’t think they can be counted on to regulate themselves. Here’s a quote from the video: “The CEO of Google DeepMind signed a letter which called on folks to take the potential extinction risks associated with AI as seriously as other major global existential risks. So, for example, the threat of nuclear war, or a global pandemic. And that doesn’t mean at all that we think that that is the most likely scenario. You know, we absolutely believe in the positive value of AI for society, or we wouldn’t be building it” Dex Hunter-Torricke, Head of Global Communications & Marketing, Google DeepMind. I think it is idealistic to believe that google is developing AI first and foremost for the good of society. It is a profit motivated company. Perhaps I am too cynical.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa…much to respond to here. I’ll start with the easy part. OUCH. Ouch, that poem is almost painful. But to be expected, I suppose. Nothing Dickinsonian about it. It is just entirely too obvious. Ouch.
Next, yes, yes you must give this assignment, borkali, and I will be interested to hear what unfolds.
And no, I don’t think you are too cynical, Barbara. I think you are wise and realistic. The good of society? Again, ouch. I am trying to search my memories for some of the thoughts James Bridle had on how to responsibly use AI along with other planetary intelligences. Wishing I had the book here to refer to. Dang, how easily difficult ideas slip the mind…
LikeLiked by 1 person