Tech Time with Trisha: What is AI?
You’ve probably been seeing AI everywhere lately. It’s the next big tech breakthrough, and you might not know what to think about it yet. Let us help you get informed about what it is, and how it may impact you.
First-some quick definitions:
- AI: Artificial Intelligence-“…intelligence exhibited by machines…that enable machines to perceive their environment and use learning and intelligence to take actions that maximize their chances of achieving defined goals.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence
- Generative AI- ”is a subset of artificial intelligence that uses generative models to produce text, images, videos, or other forms of data. These models often generate output in response to specific prompts. Generative AI systems learn the underlying patterns and structures of their training data, enabling them to create new data.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_artificial_intelligence
- Theory of Mind/Self-Awareness-This is the theoretical stage of artificial intelligence that is often depicted in action movies: a machine that behaves like a human, and may even be indistinguishable from a person, often possessing some kind of sentience.
There are multiple types of AI, each of which has a specific purpose. Often when doomsayers talk about the AI Apocalypse they are worried about self-aware machines taking over the world as depicted in dystopian media. Mostly though, AI is an umbrella term referring to any machine learning where we input data and the machine integrates that data, then uses it to learn specific tasks. The more data we add, the better it becomes at the task.
Some examples:
- Social Media Algorithms: Social Media feeds like Facebook use AI to curate the posts and ads that you see based on what you click on, comment on, or look at for longer without scrolling past
- Google Maps: uses AI to help predict traffic and determine routes
- Grammarly: writing assistant that can check grammar and provide writing suggestions
- ChatGPT: conversational chatbot in which you type a prompt or instruction and it will respond with text as though you are chatting with another person
- Canva: takes text prompts and responds with images
- Soundraw: automated music generator
- Podcastle: audio recording and editing
Some of these examples are probably things you didn’t realize utilized AI. Many of them, such as some social media platforms and google products have actually had some form of AI integrated for years. Even most smartphones on the market now contain some sort of AI in them. Although AI broke onto the media landscape more recently with the public release of ChatGPT, AI research has been happening as long as computers have been around and the integration of AI into everyday tools has been ongoing for decades. The first driverless car dates back to the 1980s and the first chatbot traces all the way back to the 1960s.
How can I know if AI is being used?
Current Federal guidance in the US encourages all entities to disclose the use of AI in their products and services, however there are currently no federal laws regarding the use of AI. Often companies freely advertise the AI features of their products as a selling point. Look for mentions of AI in advertising, in product descriptions, and in user license agreements.
There are some things that AI does very well, and some things that still have a few bugs. Image generating is one task that still needs work. Often, AI generated images include strange defects, particularly with hands. Images with too many fingers, hands in strange places or positions, limbs missing altogether, and pieces overlapping each other in ways that would be physically impossible are common mistakes that can mark an image as being created with an AI tool.
Text generators can be very good at retrieving and repeating information, but often leave out critical components. Online recipes and cooking tutorials, especially on social media platforms like Facebook, have become a common source of engagement and using an AI tool to do the work means that posters can create more content faster than someone testing recipes and writing them out. These AI recipes will often leave out crucial ingredients or have pictures that don’t match the resulting product.
What if I don’t like AI and want nothing to do with it?
Being uncomfortable with any new technology is perfectly natural. No one can know for sure exactly how AI integration will change our lives in the near and distant future. We’ve seen many AI tools that can improve lives and save time, and we’ve seen examples of AI spreading misinformation and infringing copyright. This technology is improving at an astounding rate, so being a careful media consumer and checking reputable sources for information is the best way to keep informed, but there is no putting this cat back in the bag. Local, state, and federal governments are working to create policies and laws to govern the use of AI but enforcing a total outlaw would be basically impossible at this point, meaning AI is here to stay. The best thing you can do is to treat it like any new technology: learn to make the most of it.
How is the library managing the use of AI?
As this technology advances, it’s almost guaranteed to become a ubiquitous feature in the software and devices we interact with every day. The rapidly evolving nature of this tech has made it difficult for governments to enact legislation regarding safe and practical use. There is no current Federal law, and only some states have policy in place. Kansas has a policy (which can be found here) but even this policy is already under review and may be subject to changes in the near future. Coffey County Library will strive to stay informed about emerging tools and technologies, and to abide by state and local policies regarding them. We take the safety of our patrons’ data seriously and will use any AI tools with caution to ensure personal, private information doesn’t become public. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you have.