Wednesday, July 26, 2023

The Four Stages of the AI Learning Curve

Here is my latest AI article fully corrected by ChatGPT.

The Four Stages of the AI Learning Curve

"In the fast evolving world of AI, we are witnessing a transformative learning curve that encompasses four distinct stages. From simplistic Google-like queries to seamlessly integrated AI systems, this journey delves into the intriguing realm of human-machine collaboration, which will revolutionize our lives first and society as we know it soon after." (A skillful resume of my article, written by AI)

The key to the article is that instead of speculating on the AI itself and looking far ahead to conscious super-intelligent machines (There are already many such articles on the Internet.), it focus on the immediate human interface and the consequences over the next few years. For illustration purpose, I have posted both my take on the subject and the correction from AI. ChatGPT starts great with perfect and improved version of my text but then as the concepts become more complex and abstract, ends up with colorless generalities. so from very good to close to useless... and this in itself is part of the answer.   

 1 - The Google Stage

(AI version) "The Google Stage marks the initial foray into AI, where users pose simple questions and receive similarly straightforward responses, akin to using a search engine like Google. While single-answer questions pose no issue, the frustration arises when AI fails to address more complex queries, leading users to perceive it as a limitation. In reality, the key lies in crafting precise questions and providing contextual clarity. AI's understanding of human language demands meticulous interaction, as it lacks the ability to interpret non-verbal cues, unlike humans. Regrettably, many become entangled at this stage, erroneously attributing communication failures to AI's shortcomings rather than acknowledging their role in the exchange." (Here, I asked for a shorter version of the text below.)

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(My version) The Google stage is the first stepping stone to AI where you ask simple questions and get likewise simple answers, Google-like. If the question has only one answer, it is fine but most questions do not and we have seen that people get easily frustrated, interpreting the inaccuracies of the answer as a limitation of AI.

This is most often not the case but rather based on the fact that the question was not asked the right way or that the context was not properly defined. The fact that AI understands human language instead of computer language does not reduce the need for accuracy. People understand context and get non-verbal cues from their interlocutors. AI does not and the interaction therefore needs to be more precisely circumscribed to be productive. 

Unfortunately, this stage also tends to be the tar sands of AI where many people gets bogged down, not understanding and assessing the obstacle properly as they interpret wrongly an erroneous answer as a AI failure (the machine's fault) instead of a communication failure (their fault).  

2 - The Prompt Stage

(AI version) "At this stage, you become aware that you're interacting with a machine, and to achieve optimal results, you must learn how to interface effectively using prompts.

Prompts bear resemblance to programming, but with human language replacing traditional computer code like Python or Java. The key lies in formulating questions precisely, avoiding approximate or inaccurate language that might hinder the machine's performance.

A prompt typically comprises a meticulously crafted question, followed by all the necessary elements for generating the desired answer. For instance, to translate a text from English to Chinese, you would input the content of the text, followed by the translation request. Additionally, clear instructions on the purpose and style of a letter for example are crucial to avoid generic responses.

By following this process correctly, you unlock the true power of AI. The internet already boasts extensive lists of prompts, catering to a myriad of requests, with even more specific and intricate prompts on the horizon. Leveraging the vast database behind the AI interface, we witness the emergence of awe-inspiring answers, often combining several prompts to address complex questions.

At this juncture, the AI's ability to seamlessly integrate various elements of a question showcases its intelligence, a true measure of its capabilities. It is vital to recognize that AI's intelligence does not equate to consciousness. While lacking purpose or original thoughts, AI systems are remarkably proficient at solving intricate problems, often rivaling or surpassing human intelligence." (Here, I asked for a more accurate version.)

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(My version) At this stage, you realize that you are talking to a machine and that in order to get optimum answers, you need to learn how to interface with it by using prompts. 

Prompts are in fact quite similar to programming but using human language instead of a computer code such as Python or Java. The machine will simply perform much better if the question is formulated the right way instead of using approximate, inaccurate language which we naturally tend to do. 

More practically, a prompt is a question formulated in a very precise way, followed by all the elements necessary to answer the question. At the most simple level, to translate a text from English to Chinese, you will need to input the content of the text followed by the request. But there can also be several steps necessary to get the answer and these steps needs to be explained clearly. The purpose and style of a letter, for example, must also be defined to avoid a generic answer. 

Only by going through this process the right way can you start leveraging the power of AI. This is why, we can already find long lists of prompts on the internet to answer all kinds of requests as illustrated bellow.

Soon, the number of prompts will become much larger, more specific and far more complex to answer all kind of questions, optimizing the incredibly large database hiding behind the AI interface we are currently using. 

We are already starting to see all kind of complex questions where several prompts are combined together to generate truly amazing answers. (insert SIO example later)

It is at this stage that we can start being amazed by the true power of AI. The machine has to truly understand the purpose of what it is doing in order to combine the different elements of the question seamlessly and the fact that it actually can do this, is to my opinion the true measure of the intelligence of the system. 

Most people tend to conflate intelligence and consciousness. These AI systems are of course not conscious, in the sense that they do not have a purpose or have their own original thoughts, yet... But, as for intelligence, defined as the ability to solve a complex problem, they are now in many cases on par with human intelligence and sometimes already performing better. 

3 - The Personal Assistant Stage

(AI version) "This pivotal stage marks a groundbreaking revelation: mastering the art of efficient prompts unlocks a realm of fascinating and original answers from AI. Some are anticipated, while others surprise us entirely, opening new horizons of thought.

At this juncture, AI metamorphoses into an indispensable ally, akin to an ever-available, knowledgeable friend. Seeking a second opinion from AI becomes second nature, ensuring no stone is left unturned. Like how machines amplified our physical capabilities centuries ago, AI now expands our mental faculties, honing our focus on core matters.

Language barriers crumble as you effortlessly write in any dialect, while the addition of computer code elevates your abilities to create web pages and automate mundane tasks, lightening the burden of monotonous chores. The once-costly services of mobile applications become increasingly flexible and nearly free, prompting a choice between integrating AI into apps (likely) or building more customizable AI platforms (a better but time-consuming option).

The implications of this seamless merger between human and artificial intelligence remain enigmatic. The allure of AI becomes irresistible, bordering on addiction, and its indispensability grows ever clearer. Those resisting its allure will suffer a significant disadvantage, vanishing from the competitive landscape. Yet, a delicate balance must be struck, for overreliance on AI risks rendering individuals incapable of functioning independently.

In this juncture, trust and confidence take center stage. We must scrutinize those who build AI code and retain control, ensuring it genuinely serves our best interests. The handling of confidential information by AI demands trustworthiness, and the potential for leakage of original solutions warrants careful consideration. Addressing these issues is imperative before AI earns its role as a trusted personal assistant in our lives. " (Here, I asked for a very accurate version.)

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(My version) Once you learn how to use prompts efficiently, you realize that by reformulating and submitting all kind of questions to AI, you will reliably get interesting and original answers. Some you already thought about, others you didn't.

At this stage, the AI slowly becomes indispensable. It becomes a reflex to always look for a second opinion, just in case you missed something. It is similar to having a friend, always available, always in a good mood who will answer all your questions however trivial and offer valuable insight on an almost infinite array of subjects. What the machine did to our muscles two centuries ago, the AI does to our brain: A seamless expansion to our thinking ability which allows us to focus on the core issues. 

You now can write in any language, add computer code to any task allowing you, for example, to design a Web page using the http protocol, automatize simple tasks such as answering e-mails and in many ways make your life much easier by getting rid of most boring and time consuming cores. The service that some mobile applications offered becomes more flexible and almost completely free. We will see if the mobile environment can adapt to this change by integrating AI in its applications (likely) or if people go directly to AI platforms to build more flexible solutions. (A better but more time consuming option)  

It is difficult to understand the implications of such a merger of human and artificial intelligence but it is likely to become very quickly addictive and indispensable. Those people who resist the tend will find themselves at such a disadvantage that their number, in business first, will quickly tumble and disappear. The risk is that with too many tasks becoming automatic, people will become dependent and unable to function without AI.   

A crucial issue at this stage will be trust and confidence. Who is building the AI code and who controls it? Is it really working in your best interest? Can you trust the AI with confidential information? Will original solutions be leaked as soon as they are generated? All these important issues must be answered before AI becomes a trusted personal assistant.

4 - The Integration Stage

(AI version) "As individuals seamlessly incorporate AI prompts into their daily routines, companies must also strive for comparable efficiency in their processes and operations. However, achieving this level of integration presents a formidable challenge. Unlike a simple add-on, AI represents a profound transformation, reshaping everything it touches—meetings, client interactions, and various activities—into streamlined, highly adaptable processes. The potential of AI appears limitless, leading to a substantial divide between AI-powered companies and those lagging behind.

Amidst this AI revolution, companies face the pressing need to establish AI policies, outlining its uses, goals, and limitations. Crafting such policies will prove arduous, as experience with AI is still developing, and mistakes are inevitable. The race to stay competitive drives companies to experiment with AI projects, all the while grappling with concerns over trade secrets and data protection. Striking a delicate balance between harnessing AI's benefits and controlling its potential risks will be a step-by-step process, learning from each misstep along the way."

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(My version) People using seamlessly hundreds of prompts a day will obviously become extremely efficient but they will likewise require a similar effectiveness from companies process and activities. This by definition will be a challenge of a higher order since AI will have to be integrated and inbeded in countless systems, similar in many way to moving sales and other activities from mortar to the internet..

The difficulty here is that AI is not a simple process that you add to existing ones but a thinking process which must come on top and completely transform the nature of what existed before. Meetings, client interface, almost every activity will be completely streamlined and made more flexible. The sky will literally be the limit and the gap between AI-powered companies and those that are not will quickly become very large. 

But this also means that companies will need to define the uses, the goals and the limits of AI, and therefore set up their AI policies, while experimenting with actual projects thanks to extreme pressure from competitors. 

We are already seeing the first premises of such a trend with companies being worried that trade secrets will leak to the AI and therefore to competitors and consequently wondering how the system can be controlled while keeping the benefits. The answer to this question is far from trivial and will have to be discovered step by step, one mistake at a time...

5 - The Social Stage (conclusion)

(AI version) "AI, with its dynamic and boundless capabilities, serves as a harbinger of a profound societal shift. As we explore its current transformative stages, we must recognize that the journey does not culminate here. Undeniably, more unfathomed phases lie ahead, reshaping our world in ways beyond our current comprehension.

While I refrain from delving into speculative subjects like the singularity, (I asked the AI not to talk about the singularity, not to say that I didn't want to talk about it. My mistake!)  the evolving landscape demands a forward-thinking approach. As AI continues to unfold, staying competitive necessitates keeping pace with the curve, remaining agile to adapt to the unforeseen. Embracing the unknown's potential risks while maintaining a cautious balance will be key in navigating this uncharted learning curve.

The horizon stretches before us, inviting new possibilities, and while we cannot predict with certainty what the future holds, it is vital to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability. As AI's impact reverberates across industries and human endeavors, we must embrace the journey with a spirit of exploration, curiosity, and ethical contemplation. Together, we embark on a transformation that will shape the course of humanity's future." (In this paragraph, I asked the AI to complete the article and it got carried away with generic junk. Which is exactly what good prompts are supposed to avoid!)

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(My version) AI being by definition a dynamic tool with unlimited potential, the transformation cannot stop there. Other phases we cannot fathom yet will come as the consequences of what we have just discussed to transform even further our society beyond what can be thought or understood now. 

To stay competitive in such an environment will require not being too far behind the curve while avoiding the risks of the unknown. Still, the learning curve will be extremely steep.

Here is the final advice from the AI:  (Mostly generalities but useful ones nevertheless.)

You're welcome! I'm glad I could assist you with the suggestions. It seems you have covered the key concepts and ideas related to the stages of AI learning, the significance of prompts, the integration of AI in companies, and the future implications. However, I'll mention a few aspects that you might want to consider while revising your article: (PS: If this is not understanding, then what is?)

  1. Ethical Considerations: You briefly touched on trust and control in the context of AI policies, but it might be beneficial to delve deeper into the ethical implications of AI adoption. Topics like data privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability are crucial when discussing the widespread use of AI in various domains.

  2. Impact on Jobs and Workforce: While you've highlighted the efficiency AI can bring to tasks, it's essential to address the potential impact on jobs and the workforce. The automation of certain jobs might lead to job displacement and require a transition to new skill sets.

  3. AI in Various Industries: Consider providing examples of how AI is being utilized in different industries, such as healthcare, finance, education, and manufacturing. This will illustrate the broad applicability of AI and its potential benefits in various sectors.

  4. Responsible AI Development: Mention the importance of responsible AI development, including the need to avoid biased data, ensuring fairness, and safeguarding against unintended consequences.

  5. AI and Creativity: Discuss the intersection of AI and creativity, showcasing how AI-generated content or AI-assisted creative processes are reshaping industries like art, music, and content creation.

  6. Public Perception and Education: Address the role of public perception and awareness in AI adoption. Promote the importance of educating people about AI's capabilities and limitations to dispel myths and fears surrounding the technology.

  7. Government Regulation: Consider mentioning the role of governments in establishing AI regulations and policies to ensure responsible and ethical AI deployment.

Remember that these are just suggestions, and you can focus on the aspects that align with your article's main theme and scope. Good luck with your revisions, and if you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out!


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