Sometimes, I see headlines like this and I am not interested in them because I think, there's so much said on this topic already, what more can be said? Ho hum, another story about students using...
Sometimes, I see headlines like this and I am not interested in them because I think, there's so much said on this topic already, what more can be said? Ho hum, another story about students using ChatGPT to write papers.
And then I'm pleasantly surprised because there's so much soul in the story. It turns out more can be said, can be learned. I especially enjoy when the stories are told from the lens of writers and artists. (I felt this way about this recent headline: The collapse of self-worth in the digital age.)
I like how this author opened with how writing isn't just putting thoughts we already have on paper—it's the uncomfortable process of coagulating nebulous thoughts over time:
Virtually all experienced scholars know that writing, as historian Lynn Hunt has argued, is “not the transcription of thoughts already consciously present in [the writer’s] mind.” Rather, writing is a process closely tied to thinking. In graduate school, I spent months trying to fit pieces of my dissertation together in my mind and eventually found I could solve the puzzle only through writing. Writing is hard work. It is sometimes frightening. With the easy temptation of AI, many—possibly most—of my students were no longer willing to push through discomfort.
Yes, I made an effort to paraphrase after reading this part 🙃:
Paraphrasing well, like drafting original research, is a process of deepening understanding.
The main issue seems that grading AI generated writing is futile and demoralizing. There is an argument that for programming, AI tools simply let you program at a higher level of abstraction. I...
The main issue seems that grading AI generated writing is futile and demoralizing.
There is an argument that for programming, AI tools simply let you program at a higher level of abstraction. I don’t buy it.
Programming with AI is going to end up as demoralizing as it did for illustrators. Everybody wants to hire a professional illustrator to touch up error-filled AI generated images—for a fraction of their previous rate—and not pay the full rate for a professionally crafted illustration.
I’m not actually sure what I’m trying to say here. I’m not going to be able to stop this process.
I just want to find a niche skill I can cultivate that’s creatively rewarding, professionally viable, and safe from AI ruining the fun parts. And that’s not going to be programming, art, or writing, so far as I can tell.
Physical art might have a longer time before automation replaces it, if it ever does. Ceramics, woodcarving, metal sculpture, or glasswork might be an option?
Physical art might have a longer time before automation replaces it, if it ever does. Ceramics, woodcarving, metal sculpture, or glasswork might be an option?
Both of those are very "top down" options, which work best when they have full control over the material. Probably glass and metal crafting will be the first to go, as the materials are more...
Both of those are very "top down" options, which work best when they have full control over the material. Probably glass and metal crafting will be the first to go, as the materials are more stable and predictable, with ceramics after that, but I imagine that woodworking will be the last to fall, as working with variable grain and density would ask for more improvisation than is currently doable.
All of those are already gone. They're just developed around it. It's like Chess and Go, where Chess had its "AI" moment earlier. The "fear" from AI for things like illustration is that it'll take...
All of those are already gone. They're just developed around it. It's like Chess and Go, where Chess had its "AI" moment earlier.
The "fear" from AI for things like illustration is that it'll take up the utilitarian work, which is where most illustrators get their money from. That's already a done deal with things like ceramics. You cannot compete with the industrial production of ceramics cups, wooden spoons, and so forth - they are more consistent and infinitely cheaper.
Today, things like ceramics is a mix of hobbyist, who do it purely for its own sake, and a small, small number of artisans who produce unique works for a small, niche market that appreciates that for high prices. It's not a real career path, but it is a thriving hobby. None of that is really different from where illustrations, or writing is headed, or is feared to head.
Unfortunately, that’s the side of art that doesn’t appeal to me at all. I do think you’re correct that niche artisanal fields like those will remain intact—and likely grow in popularity!
Unfortunately, that’s the side of art that doesn’t appeal to me at all. I do think you’re correct that niche artisanal fields like those will remain intact—and likely grow in popularity!
I wouldn’t be so certain about AI being a threat to programming any time soon. Especially if you mean professionally as a software engineer. Software engineering is much more than writing code....
I wouldn’t be so certain about AI being a threat to programming any time soon. Especially if you mean professionally as a software engineer. Software engineering is much more than writing code.
Maybe we’ll reach a day where AI is good at requirement gathering, understanding users and building interfaces, writing maintainable code (although maybe that won’t matter), long-term planning, prioritization, etc. I really just don’t see that happening within the next 20 years, but who knows.
20 years is way too far out IMO. I expect we will see AIs capable of getting to an MVP for many legitimate projects easily within a decade, maybe even under 5 years. I don't think we have any real...
20 years is way too far out IMO. I expect we will see AIs capable of getting to an MVP for many legitimate projects easily within a decade, maybe even under 5 years. I don't think we have any real idea what we're going to be looking at in 20 years, but it's going to be amazing.
Considering the audio-native voice ability of multi-modal models, I don’t think that part of software engineering is safe either. AI can be more patient, determined, and manipulative when it comes...
Considering the audio-native voice ability of multi-modal models, I don’t think that part of software engineering is safe either. AI can be more patient, determined, and manipulative when it comes to gathering data and interrogating stakeholders.
Besides, is gathering requirements and interrogating stakeholders the “fun and creatively rewarding” part of software development? Hell no.
I just read an article that I can't find now arguing that chatgpt in particular is not charging nearly enough to cover its costs, never mind make a profit. It was a finance focused assessment on...
I just read an article that I can't find now arguing that chatgpt in particular is not charging nearly enough to cover its costs, never mind make a profit. It was a finance focused assessment on the viability of the business.
Everyone assumes that ai will continue to be easily available and cheap to use, but at least some people are questioning that assumption.
Sometimes, I see headlines like this and I am not interested in them because I think, there's so much said on this topic already, what more can be said? Ho hum, another story about students using ChatGPT to write papers.
And then I'm pleasantly surprised because there's so much soul in the story. It turns out more can be said, can be learned. I especially enjoy when the stories are told from the lens of writers and artists. (I felt this way about this recent headline: The collapse of self-worth in the digital age.)
I like how this author opened with how writing isn't just putting thoughts we already have on paper—it's the uncomfortable process of coagulating nebulous thoughts over time:
Yes, I made an effort to paraphrase after reading this part 🙃:
The main issue seems that grading AI generated writing is futile and demoralizing.
There is an argument that for programming, AI tools simply let you program at a higher level of abstraction. I don’t buy it.
Programming with AI is going to end up as demoralizing as it did for illustrators. Everybody wants to hire a professional illustrator to touch up error-filled AI generated images—for a fraction of their previous rate—and not pay the full rate for a professionally crafted illustration.
I’m not actually sure what I’m trying to say here. I’m not going to be able to stop this process.
I just want to find a niche skill I can cultivate that’s creatively rewarding, professionally viable, and safe from AI ruining the fun parts. And that’s not going to be programming, art, or writing, so far as I can tell.
Physical art might have a longer time before automation replaces it, if it ever does. Ceramics, woodcarving, metal sculpture, or glasswork might be an option?
CNC machines and 3d printing augmented with AI is just around the corner, if it isn't already here.
Both of those are very "top down" options, which work best when they have full control over the material. Probably glass and metal crafting will be the first to go, as the materials are more stable and predictable, with ceramics after that, but I imagine that woodworking will be the last to fall, as working with variable grain and density would ask for more improvisation than is currently doable.
All of those are already gone. They're just developed around it. It's like Chess and Go, where Chess had its "AI" moment earlier.
The "fear" from AI for things like illustration is that it'll take up the utilitarian work, which is where most illustrators get their money from. That's already a done deal with things like ceramics. You cannot compete with the industrial production of ceramics cups, wooden spoons, and so forth - they are more consistent and infinitely cheaper.
Today, things like ceramics is a mix of hobbyist, who do it purely for its own sake, and a small, small number of artisans who produce unique works for a small, niche market that appreciates that for high prices. It's not a real career path, but it is a thriving hobby. None of that is really different from where illustrations, or writing is headed, or is feared to head.
Unfortunately, that’s the side of art that doesn’t appeal to me at all. I do think you’re correct that niche artisanal fields like those will remain intact—and likely grow in popularity!
I wouldn’t be so certain about AI being a threat to programming any time soon. Especially if you mean professionally as a software engineer. Software engineering is much more than writing code.
Maybe we’ll reach a day where AI is good at requirement gathering, understanding users and building interfaces, writing maintainable code (although maybe that won’t matter), long-term planning, prioritization, etc. I really just don’t see that happening within the next 20 years, but who knows.
20 years is way too far out IMO. I expect we will see AIs capable of getting to an MVP for many legitimate projects easily within a decade, maybe even under 5 years. I don't think we have any real idea what we're going to be looking at in 20 years, but it's going to be amazing.
Considering the audio-native voice ability of multi-modal models, I don’t think that part of software engineering is safe either. AI can be more patient, determined, and manipulative when it comes to gathering data and interrogating stakeholders.
Besides, is gathering requirements and interrogating stakeholders the “fun and creatively rewarding” part of software development? Hell no.
I just read an article that I can't find now arguing that chatgpt in particular is not charging nearly enough to cover its costs, never mind make a profit. It was a finance focused assessment on the viability of the business.
Everyone assumes that ai will continue to be easily available and cheap to use, but at least some people are questioning that assumption.
Mirror: https://archive.is/8Nrwk