Don't consume slop! Here's how to recognize and avoid AI generated content.

(Image created using DeepAI's image generator)

What is AI Slop?

Broadly speaking, those of us who create content for the web do so for one of two reasons: 1) We have something we think is worth sharing or 2) we need to create web pages that can be laced with ads to produce revenue.*  

From the advertisers point of view, all web pages are potentially places for ads. Advertisers don't necessarily care about the pages' content, so long as they attract plenty of viewers/readers to whom they can show ads.

In recent years AI authoring tools have become readily available to anyone. These tools can generate mountains of content in a matter of seconds. And all that content means plenty of places to plop ads in front of eyeballs. 

Unfortunately, much of this automated content is flat. While it may serve as a medium to carry ads, it is devoid of the type of personal perspective or passion that might animate a human writer. 

Now there's a name for this stuff: It's called AI slop. Wikipedia explains: 

"AI slop", often simply "slop", is a term for low-quality media, including writing and images, made using generative artificial intelligence technology, characterized by an inherent lack of effort, being generated at an overwhelming volume... (Read more here.)" 

When the Bots Melt Down: A Political Example

Rachel Maddow provided a YouTube example of automated bots (short for "robots") that are amplifying or even creating pro Trump content, though some of it is clearly contradictory. Check out her video "TRUMP BOT MELTDOWN..." 

How to Distinguish AI Slop from Human Writing

As Rachel Maddow made clear above, it's getting more and more difficult to distinguish AI generated videos from those created by humans. Here's an illustration:  

So how can we tell what's real and what's an AI created fake? I asked Perplexity (the "free AI-powered answer engine") this question: "How can I distinguish human written content from AI generated content?" It recommended that I look for differences in these characteristics of the writing itself:  

• writing style and quality
• depth, accuracy, and authenticity
• emotional and narrative consistency
• perplexity and burstiness
• quickness and volume

Also, it said I could use these online tools to check the human authorship of a piece of writing: GPTZero, Originality.ai, Turnitin, Content at Scale’s AI Detector, and Writer.com’s AI Content Detector.

The bottom line: There are plenty of ways you can research that piece of content to determine if it was written by a bot! Try some of the above when you're in doubt.

Will AI Slop Result in Less Internet Use? 

If you're thinking that all this sounds like we're heading for a serious internet credibility crisis, you aren't alone. In her article AI Slop Might Finally Cure Our Internet Addiction, Emma Marris writes: 

"Many of the internet’s best resources for getting everyday answers are quickly being inundated with the dubious wisdom of AI. YouTube, long a destination for real people who know how to repair toilets, make omelets, or deliver engaging cultural criticism, is getting less human by the day: The newsletter Garbage Day reports that four of May’s top 10 YouTube channels were devoted to AI-generated content. Recently, the fastest-growing channel featured AI babies in dangerous situations, for some reason. Reddit is currently overrun with AI-generated posts. Even if you never use ChatGPT or other large language models directly, the rest of the internet is sodden with their output and with real people parroting their hallucinations."

So it's up to us!

If the above sounds a little "doom and gloomy" take heart! The one thing we can count on and ultimately leverage is human greed. The people publishing this AI dreck are in it for the money, you can be sure. So we need to 1) avoid their obviously bot-supported AI generated crap by not clicking on it and 2) call them out for puking it out at us by publicizing how lazy and exploitative their websites really are. By doing so we may be able to slow down the degeneration of our web by bots and keep the creations of humans alive and well. 

(See my previous article A Curated, 21-Video Study Guide for Absolute AI [Artificial Intelligence] Newbies: What It Is, Where You Can Play with It & How We Might Want to Shape Its Role in Our Lives.)

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* Note: I create the stuff I publish here for reason number one. That is, I just want to share it. However, since Google hosts this website and all Blogger-powered websites at no charge to the publisher, they place ads here to help recover the costs of hosting. I have no control over these ads. They just show up, as Google sees fit!

Best of 2024: Six WORTH SHARING Posts Worth Revisiting

This year was marked by political battles. Unfortunately, most of the articles I posted here after July were influenced by those battles and included my own political rants. My apologies!! However, the first half of the year, before the political season began, I posted some good stuff that was definitely worth sharing. In case you missed these amidst the political noise, I've posted links to them below. Enjoy!

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A Dozen+ Recommended Podcasts: Loaded with Wisdom "Worth Sharing!"

A Dozen+ Recommended Podcasts: Loaded with Wisdom "Worth Sharing!"

11 Apps I Use Almost Every Day

11 Apps I Use Almost Every Day

On AI Authorship: What's the meaning of this?

On AI Authorship: What's the meaning of this?

10 of My Most-Accessed Items at Internet Archive

10 of My Most-Accessed Items at Internet Archive

A Frank Zappa Sampler: Meet My Favorite Musical Genius

A Frank Zappa Sampler: Meet My Favorite Musical Genius

From fear-driven anger to understanding: It takes effort.

From fear-driven anger to understanding: It takes effort.

Summer Reruns: Six Articles You Might Have Missed

This month I'm taking a break from creating a new article. Instead, I'm re-sharing my most recent six articles that you might have missed. I hope you find them entertaining, informative or thought provoking. 

• PLAN TO VOTE & STOP TEAM TRUMP from Implementing Their "Fascist Playbook!"

John Oliver dug into the "Project 2025" strategy document put together by Trump's supporters and then put together an engaging (fun!?) and enormously informative look at the real dangers that a second Trump term poses for our democracy. 

• From fear-driven anger to understanding: It takes effort.

"... when fear gets a glimpse of itself it often begins blustering and posturing to hide its true nature. In an effort to maintain its dignity, fear morphs into quasi-ferocious anger... like a chihuahua about to be sniffed by a Great Dane..."

• A Frank Zappa Sampler: Meet My Favorite Musical Genius

To know Zappa's stuff you have to pop in your earbuds, get comfortable, close your eyes and just enjoy the ride. Here's my curated playlist to get you started.

• 10 of My Most-Accessed Items at Internet Archive

I have uploaded over 90 items to the Internet Archive. Some of them are downloaded and used more than others. This article links the top 10 items accessed there.

• On AI Authorship: What's the meaning of this? 

In this article I share the results of my experimenting with the AI authoring tool ChatGPT. It was a fascinating process.

• 11 Apps I Use Almost Every Day

... the apps that I find indispensable and use almost everyday... sometimes many times a day.

On AI Authorship: What's the meaning of this?

In this article I'm sharing the results of my experimenting with the AI authoring tool ChatGPT. It was a fascinating process and I'm still thinking about the meaning of it all. And I encourage you to follow along below and think about it too, since our AI writing partners and our AI partners in so many other creative endeavors are starting to show up everywhere!  As you read the samples below, consider:

• What or who should be given credit for the authorship of these works? 
• Are these works as valuable as they might be if they had been created by a clearly identified, individual human author?
• What are some appropriate uses of the AI tools that created them?
• Since ChatGPT outputs are not subject to copyright, how or when should the inputs that went into shaping a ChatGPT work product be flagged and credited? (Should there be... Can there be... an "audit trail" of the stuff that got "blended" invisibly into the final output?) 

A One-Page Short Story

I asked ChatGPT to create...  “A one-page short story in the style of Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman and Willa Cather.”

In response, ChatGPT wrote (in part): 

"In the serene depths of the forest, where the whispering leaves dance to the rhythm of the wind and the sunlight filters through the canopy like a gentle caress, there lived a solitary soul named Ezra. He was a man of quiet contemplation, finding solace in the simplicity of nature and the company of his thoughts.

Each morning, Ezra would rise with the sun, greeting the dawn with a silent reverence. He would wander through the woods, his feet treading lightly upon the earth, his senses alive to the symphony of life surrounding him. He would pause to admire the delicate beauty of a wildflower, the intricate patterns of a spider's web, the graceful flight of a butterfly.

As he walked, Ezra would often recite verses from Whitman's "Leaves of Grass," his voice blending with the rustling leaves and the gentle babble of the nearby brook. He felt a kinship with the poet, a shared reverence for the natural world and a belief in the interconnectedness of all living things.

In the quietude of the forest, Ezra found a refuge from the noise and bustle of the world beyond. Here, amid the towering trees and the cool shade of the underbrush, he felt truly alive, truly at peace. He would lie beneath the branches, his eyes closed, listening to the symphony of nature unfolding around him.

In the distance, he could hear the distant call of a bird, the faint rustle of a squirrel in the branches above. And in those moments, Ezra felt as though he were part of something greater, part of the eternal cycle of life and death that bound all living things together... "

When Willa Cather, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau
& Dr. Seuss are thrown into the AI blender, what gets lost?

A Poem

I asked ChatGPT to create...  “A one-page poem in the style of Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman and Willa Cather.”

In response, ChatGPT wrote: 

"In quiet woods, where whispers dwell,

Nature's symphony, a tale to tell.

Beneath the towering trees, I roam,

In solitude, I find my home.

Like Thoreau, I seek the simple life,

Far from the city's bustling strife.

In Walden's woods, my soul takes flight,

Embracing nature's gentle might.

Walt Whitman's spirit, strong and free,

Sings in every rustling tree.

I am vast, I contain multitudes,

In nature's arms, my gratitude exudes.

Willa Cather, with her prairie song,

Inspires me to wander long.

Across the plains, beneath the sky,

I find my truth, I find my why.

In Thoreau's woods, Whitman's verse,

Cather's plains, I immerse.

A blend of souls, a harmony,

In nature's embrace, I am truly free."

A Short Story Outline

I asked ChatGPT to create...  "an outline for a short story by Willa Cather, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman and Dr Seuss about a family traveling across the country."

In response, ChatGPT wrote: [I added only bold, bullets & indents for ease of reading. -MG] 

"Across the Open Road: A Collaborative Outline

Genre: Literary Fiction with a sprinkle of whimsy

Setting: American landscape, spanning various locations as the family travels (think vast plains, bustling cities, hidden valleys)

Characters:

The Johnson Family:

• Margaret Johnson: A strong-willed woman inspired by Willa Cather's heroines, yearning for adventure and a deeper connection to the land.
• William Johnson: A practical man, reminiscent of Thoreau, seeking self-reliance and a simpler life amidst the changing world.
• Lily Johnson: Their curious and imaginative daughter, channeling Walt Whitman's free spirit and Dr. Seuss's playful touch.

Plot Outline:

Part 1: The Call of the Open Road

• Unease Sets In: The Johnsons, despite their comfortable life, feel a growing restlessness. Margaret longs for wide-open spaces, William craves a life less tethered to material possessions, and Lily yearns for grand adventures.
• A Spontaneous Decision: Fueled by a shared desire for change, the Johnsons impulsively sell their belongings and purchase a well-worn RV, christening it "The Wanderlust."
• Farewell, Dear City: With mixed emotions, they leave the familiarity of their city life behind, embarking on a journey across the vast American landscape.

Part 2: Encounters and Explorations

• Willa's Whispers: As they traverse the Great Plains, Margaret feels a kinship with Cather's heroines, drawing strength and inspiration from the rugged beauty of the land. She finds solace in solitude and connects with the spirit of the pioneers.
• Thoreau's Tranquility: William seeks moments of reflection and self-reliance, inspired by Thoreau's writings. He finds peace in simple living, connecting with nature through camping, stargazing, and quiet contemplation.
• Whitman's Wonders: Lily, with her boundless curiosity, embraces the Walt Whitmanesque spirit of inclusivity and wonder. She celebrates the diversity of people and places they encounter, collecting stories and experiences like colorful threads in a tapestry.
• Seussian Surprises: Along the way, they stumble upon quirky towns, eccentric characters, and fantastical situations, reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's whimsical worlds. These encounters add a touch of magic and humor to their journey.

Part 3: Growth and Transformation

• Facing Challenges: The family encounters obstacles – breakdowns, detours, and disagreements – forcing them to rely on each other and adapt to their ever-changing circumstances.
• Finding Their Rhythms: As they adjust to their nomadic lifestyle, each member discovers new strengths and perspectives. Margaret learns to embrace spontaneity, William finds joy in connection, and Lily develops resilience and resourcefulness.
• The Heart of Home: Despite the allure of new experiences, they realize that "home" is not a place, but the love and shared journey they create together.

Part 4: The Road Less Traveled

• A Crossroads: Reaching a breathtaking vista, the Johnsons contemplate their future. Do they continue their nomadic adventure, settle in a new place, or return to their old life?
• An Open Ending: The story concludes without a definitive answer, leaving the reader to ponder the characters' choices and the enduring power of exploration, self-discovery, and the ever-evolving American landscape.

Additional Notes:

• Each author's style and themes can be subtly woven into the narrative, creating a unique literary tapestry.
• Consider incorporating elements of nature, Americana, and the changing social landscape of the chosen time period.
• The fantastical elements inspired by Dr. Seuss should be sprinkled sparingly, adding whimsy without overshadowing the core themes.
• This outline is just a starting point, feel free to adjust it to fit your creative vision!"

Conclusion 

As you can see from the examples above, any human writer who is working with a powerful AI partner like ChatGPT is able to "hit the ground running" and will quickly end up far ahead (at least in terms of volume of output) of his non-AI-using competitors. But is this really what we want? 

Today, when an article is published, it is common practice to attribute it to a particular named author or authors. In this way not only do authors get credit but readers are able to dig into an author's other works and learn about their credentials, biases, areas of expertise, etc. 

In contrast, in a world where many authors' works are blended and pureed we are in grave danger of individual identities being lost and "audit trails" becoming impossible to discern. In such a world, the main casualty becomes truth itself. 

So it seems to me that we, as readers, have this duty:

When we read something (AI-generated or not!) we need to push hard to learn the sources used to create it. Only then can we judge its true value... and the value of its "truth."

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[Note: I generated the unique, copyright-free image above of the two android "authors" here:  https://deepai.org/machine-learning-model/text2img ]

A Brief Reading List: Exploring Human Intelligence, Consciousness and the Role of Our New AI Partners

In this article I recommend three books that explore the answers to these broad questions:

• What is consciousness or intelligence and how did it spring forth in humans?

• How are machines being engineered to absorb and amplify human intelligence?

• What does it mean to be a conscious human in a world where both technology and its unique form of consciousness (Artificial Intelligence) predominates? 

Fittingly, my co-author in this article is Google's AI tool Bard. I asked Bard to create summaries of each of the books below. Since I have read each book (or rather listened to the unabridged audio book versions) I was able to evaluate the accuracy of Bard's summaries. The bottom line: Bard did a great job! So I've included Bard's summaries below. 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Before we can begin to understand artificial intelligence we need to strip it of the adjective "artificial" and examine intelligence on its own. Harari's book Sapiens describes the awakening of conscious awareness among the homo sapiens and how this awakening has manifested itself in the creation of culture and civilization. He then briefly predicts AI's potential to join or possibly supplant organic human intelligence.

Google Bard's Summary

"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a book by Yuval Noah Harari that explores the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the present day. The book argues that the unique ability of humans to cooperate with each other in large numbers, enabled by our shared myths and stories, is what has allowed us to become the dominant species on Earth.

The book is divided into four parts:

• The Cognitive Revolution: This part explores how the development of language and abstract thinking allowed humans to cooperate with each other in ways that no other animal can.
• The Agricultural Revolution: This part examines the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies, and the consequences of this transition for human health, happiness, and environmental impact.
• The Unnatural History of Humankind: This part explores the rise of empires, religions, and science, and how these forces have shaped the modern world.
• The Future of Sapiens: This part looks at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for humanity, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and the possibility of nuclear war.

Sapiens is a thought-provoking and eye-opening book that challenges many of our assumptions about human history. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and the challenges we face in the future."

The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence

Yes, this book is over 20 years old. However, it was written by a man who has "... written books on health, artificial intelligence (AI), transhumanism, the technological singularity, and futurism. Kurzweil is a public advocate for the futurist and transhumanist movements... " - from Wikipedia 

This book is a foundational text that accurately predicted some AI-based functions that are in use today and predicts others that are yet to come. It's an essential text for understanding the roots of AI.

Google Bard's Summary

"Here is a brief summary of the book The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence by Ray Kurzweil:

• The book argues that the pace of technological advancement is accelerating, and that computers will eventually surpass human intelligence. Kurzweil believes that this will happen by the year 2045, and that it will lead to a "singularity" where machines will become so intelligent that they will be indistinguishable from humans. He also predicts that this will lead to the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), which will be able to perform any intellectual task that a human can. 

• Kurzweil believes that AGI will have a profound impact on society, and that it will eventually lead to the "merger" of humans and machines. He argues that this merger will be beneficial for humanity, as it will allow us to overcome our physical limitations and achieve a higher level of consciousness.

• The book has been praised by some for its cogent analysis of technological trends and its optimistic vision of the future. However, it has also been criticized by others for its lack of scientific rigor and its reliance on speculation... The Age of Spiritual Machines is a thought-provoking and controversial work that has had a significant impact on the way we think about the future of technology. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the potential implications of artificial intelligence."
  
  

God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning

This book explores what it means to be a conscious human in a world where both technology and technology's unique form of consciousness (Artificial Intelligence) coexist. Though the topics discussed are both profound and complex, O'Gieblyn's explanations are easily accessible and anchor the topic firmly in the real world.

Google Bard's Summary

"The book God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning by Meghan O'Gieblyn is a collection of essays that explores the ways in which technology has shaped our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world. O'Gieblyn argues that technology is not neutral, but rather that it carries with it its own set of metaphors and assumptions. These metaphors, in turn, influence the way we think about ourselves and our relationships to the natural world.

The book is divided into four parts. 

• The first part, "God," examines the ways in which technology has been used to create new forms of spirituality and religious experience. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of artificial intelligence and the ways in which some people are beginning to see AI as a kind of divine being. She also explores the use of technology in religious rituals and practices.
• The second part, "Human," examines the ways in which technology has changed our understanding of what it means to be human. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of social media and the ways in which it has altered our sense of self and our relationships with others. She also explores the ways in which technology has been used to create new forms of surveillance and control.
• The third part, "Animal," examines the ways in which technology has changed our relationship to the natural world. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of factory farming and the ways in which it has commodified animals. She also explores the use of technology in animal research and the ethical implications of this.
• The fourth part, "Machine," examines the ways in which technology has become increasingly intertwined with our lives. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of automation and the ways in which it is displacing human workers. She also explores the ways in which technology is changing our experience of time and space.

God, Human, Animal, Machine is a thought-provoking book that challenges our assumptions about ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of humanity and the role of technology in our lives."

Related Article

• A Curated, 21-Video Study Guide for Absolute AI (Artificial Intelligence) Newbies: What It Is, Where You Can Play with It & How We Might Want to Shape Its Role in Our Lives

The truth is out there! And it's easier than ever to find.

Six Fact Checking Tools that Have Stood the Test of Time

Back in 2018 I wrote an article that included a strategy, links and a PDF reference tool to help you find factual, truthful information quickly. (See: The Truth Finder: 3 Questions & Lots of Links to Help You Distinguish Fact from Fiction.)

Now that we're back in another U.S. presidential campaigning season it seems like a good time to take another look at this article, some of the excellent resources it showcased and a couple of new ones that can help you separate fact from fiction.

I'm pleased to say that all the ones I originally shined a light on in that PDF are still going strong. They are:

• FactCheck.org

• PolitiFact

• Vote Smart

• TruthOrFiction.com

• Snopes.com

• ProCon.org

Some Excellent New (to me...) Fact Checking Tools

In the 5 years since I wrote that article, I've learned of some powerful additions to this collection. They include: 

• Washington Post Fact Checker - Primarily evaluates political stories.

• Tineye.com - Provides reverse image search to determine the authenticity of an image.

• RumorGuard: by the News Literacy Project - Presents examples of misinformation and some fact-checking. 

• Google Fact Check Explorer - This is sort of a meta fact checker, with brief summaries of results from many fact checking sources, clearly documented and linked to help you with further research. 

Bonus:  Google Search has added a powerful new feature to help you quickly verify info that appears in your search results. According to Google:  

"Now, wherever you’re searching, you’ll see three dots next to most results on Google Search. Tapping those three dots gives you a way to learn more about where the information you’re seeing is coming from and how our systems determined it would be useful for your query. With this context, you can make a more informed decision about the sites you may want to visit and what results will be most helpful for you."  -- from Five new ways to verify info with Google Search.

My Original 3-Question Strategy for Digging Deeper and Finding the Truth

The Truth Finder PDF Worksheet

My original 3 question Truth Finder strategy presented a systematic approach to the complex process of thoroughly checking facts. Here's how it worked: 

Question 1: IS THIS SIMPLE STATEMENT TRUE?

Objective: An accurate depiction of reality.

This question is focused on finding whether an assertion is based on an observable, provable or historically accurate fact.

Examples:

• Did congress person Jones accept a bribe from industry lobbyist Smith?
• Is there a direct link between chewing tobacco and cancer of the mouth?

How to get the answer: Consult any of the fact-checking resources listed above.

Question 2: WHAT ARE SOME DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THIS COMPLEX ISSUE?

Objective: A deeper understanding of an issue.

Sometimes the "truth" is a matter of developing a deeper understanding of all the nuances and shades of grey surrounding an issue, then deciding what "truth" is for yourself.

Examples:

• Are e-cigarettes dangerous?
• Is presidential candidate X beholden to industry lobbyists?
• Does Obama Care reduce healthcare costs?

How to get the answer: Consult any of the fact-checking resources listed above.

(NOTE: The last of my three questions in your truth quest usually can't be answered so quickly or easily. However, if your question is focused on an important issue or a particularly controversial topic then this question is probably worth spending the extra effort to answer.)

Question 3: WHO'S THE AUTHOR (PUBLISHER) and WHAT'S THEIR AGENDA (TRACK RECORD)?

Objective: Consider the source! (i.e., Consider the message creator's unique viewpoint & their credibility.)

Unless you plan to do original research or conduct your own interviews of experts or witnesses, you're going to be forced to trust the websites, authors and media people whose work you are consuming. So you need to answer these broad questions:

• Does the content creator have a particular agenda they are working?
• Do they typically represent the same constituency or political perspective or group of advertisers?

And then dig deeper with these questions:

FOR WEBSITES, ASK:

• What does the "About" page or "Contributors" page say?
• Who supports the website? (Founders, contributors, distributors, parent company, etc.)
• Has the site won any awards or honors? If so, from whom?
• What do advertisers seem to think the site's visitors want? (i.e., What unique points of view or content do the advertisers seem to expect the website/author to provide?)

FOR INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS OR MEDIA PRODUCERS, LOOK FOR:

• Wikipedia biographies (Or general web search for "[name]: biography").
• Any awards or honors attained. If so, from whom?
• Reviews of the author's or producer's body of work.
• A history of biased, slanted or sensational publications.
• Membership in particular organizations.

The truth is out there! So take the time to find it.

Whether you need to check the accuracy of a simple assertion or pull back the curtain on something as complex as the "stolen" 2020 U.S. presidential election you have plenty of fact checking tools to help you distinguish reality from fiction. So if you want to help in the war against misinformation all you need to do is 1) select a suspected lie or distortion and then 2) get to work using the tools above to discover the truth and, finally, 3) publicize the truth you find by spreading the word on social media sites, interactions with friends & relatives, etc.

Learn how AI may be able to help.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to a number of developments in the process of fact checking. To learn more about how AI may be able to help with your fact checking chores, check out these articles:

• Top 12 AI Fact-Checking Tools for Content Accuracy (2023)

• Fact-Checkers Are Scrambling to Fight Disinformation With AI

• Can artificial intelligence help end fake news?

• Scaling fact checking with Artificial Intelligence

===== Related Articles ===== 

• Media-Induced Ignorance & How to Neutralize It    
• Curate Your Own News: Why You Should & How You Can  
• Why It’s Pointless to Argue About Politics or Religion  
• Forgive Them. It’s Just Their Inner Chihuahua.

 

A Curated, 21-Video Study Guide for Absolute AI (Artificial Intelligence) Newbies: What It Is, Where You Can Play with It & How We Might Want to Shape Its Role in Our Lives

(Images above generated using AI tools Dall-E & ToonArt)

Overview

If you're like me, you may be finding that nearly every news story about AI (artificial intelligence) assumes that we already know something about it. I find myself continually feeling like I'm being pulled into the middle of a robust, ongoing conversation. And that drives me nuts! As a former instructional designer and trainer, I know if I'm going to intelligently assimilate this stuff I need to approach it in a systematic way, starting with the basics. So, in the spirit of scratching my own itch, I have combed through bunches of AI-oriented YouTube videos and created a sensibly-sequenced video study guide. And I hereby share it with you!

Think of this as a road map. In it you'll find a selection of relatively brief videos and related reference links that you can follow, as an absolute AI newbie, to build your knowledge of the subject and answer these broad questions: 

1. What is AI (basic definitions, distinctions, etc)

2. How are people using AI? (Including some examples and links to sample tools you can play with)

3. What are the controversial issues related to AI that we need to know about in order to:

• "see behind the curtain" regarding how AI is entering our lives,
• control how we use AI and where we let it into our lives, and
• raise our voices (in an informed way) to help policy makers figure out a path forward for AI in our society.

Note: These resources are not intended to help you become an AI programmer or developer or other AI professional, though they might inspire you to pursue such a path on your own. I'm assuming that you simply want answers to the questions above so you can become an informed consumer of AI outputs.

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The Basics: What is AI? 

What is artificial intelligence (AI)? "This animated video describes how artificial intelligence works, where it can be found, and how it influences our lives."

   

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How AI works in everyday life - More practical ways AI helps people in daily life. 

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Learn More: 

• The A to Z of Artificial Intelligence
• What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

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Some Popular AI Tools & How People are Using Them

What is ChatGPT? OpenAI's Chat GPT Explained -- "What is Chat GPT? What is OpenAI? Who Founded OpenAI? What is Chat GPT Explained? What is Artificial Intelligence? What is Dall e 2? What is Artificial Intelligence art?"

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Groundbreaking research in health AI -- "Dr. Alan Karthikesalingam introduces new research on Med-PaLM 2, our exploratory work with large language models to provide high quality, authoritative answers to medical questions."  

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6 Mind-Blowing AI Tools for 2023! (don't fall behind) - "... exploring six cutting-edge AI tools that are set to revolutionize the way we live and work in 2023."

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Best AI Art generators & AI tools to create better artwork! - "... whether it's Midjourney, Dall-E or Stable Diffusion!"

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A.I. Music Is Insane - "From creating completely new compositions from scratch to providing personalised listening experiences – artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we experience [music]..." 

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The ChatGPT Playbook of EPIC Prompts [Caution... Watching this guy's videos is like trying to drink from a fire hose! They're loaded with good info, but it's best to just let the content wash over you and get what you can out of them. Don't try to retain all the details!]  This video digs deep into the weeds and shows a few of the many ways ChatGPT can be used. ("In this video, I break down some of my favorite prompts with ChatGPT.")

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Generative AI Is About To Reset Everything, And, Yes It Will Change Your Life [from Forbes...] "Whether you like it or not, generative AI like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion are about to change not only how you work, but how the content you consume is produced. Forbes spoke with a number of leading voices in the AI space to determine both the benefits and the dangers of this next wave of technological innovation, and find out why both tech giants as well as cutting edge startups are racing to grab their share of the market."

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How ChatGPT 5 Will Change the World - "What would Chat GPT 5 be able to do? The answers might surprise you." 

Caveats regarding GPT-5:  

• GPT-5: A New Era of AI Approaches as OpenAI Prepares to Unveil Its Latest Achievement
• OpenAI’s CEO confirms the company isn’t training GPT-5 and ‘won’t for some time’

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Learn more... and play with some AI tools!

• ChatGPT (the AI tool that everyone's talking about!)
• DALL-E (the AI tool that creates art from your text descriptions)
• Bard (Google's "creative and helpful collaborator")
• 35 Ways Real People Are Using A.I. Right Now
• How to Use Midjourney to Create AI Art 
• Google’s AI music generator is like ChatGPT for audio
• 20 Best Free AI Tools Online for Your Business or Personal Use 
• 25 Cool AI Tools That Are Fun To Try Online in 2023 
• The best AI productivity tools in 2023
• 7 Ways to Use ChatGPT at Work to Boost Your Productivity, Make Your Job Easier, and Save a Ton of Time
• New Smart Glasses Tell You What to Say on Dates Using GPT-4

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AI Hopes & Fears: What Citizens & Lawmakers Should be Thinking About

AI expert reveals his 'single greatest fear' about the technology - "AI expert Dr. Gary Marcus joins CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield to discuss the dangers of artificial intelligence."

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ChatGPT: Artificial Intelligence, chatbots and a world of unknowns [from 60 minutes] -  "Lesley Stahl speaks with Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, and others about the emerging industry of artificial intelligence systems people can have conversations with."

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OpenAI CEO, CTO on risks and how AI will reshape society - "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tells ABC News’ Rebecca Jarvis that AI will reshape society and acknowledges the risks: 'I think people should be happy that we are a little bit scared of this.'”

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What is Technological Singularity? "... Jason Silva explains the concept of technological singularity and how artificial intelligence is nothing to be afraid of."  

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Our Final Invention - Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) - An overview of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in the context of biological evolution.

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The Path To Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) - "In this video we focus on if we can reach Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in the first place and how to get there."  

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This Just Changed My Mind About AGI - "GPT-4 can teach itself to become better through self reflection, learn tools with minimal demonstrations... act as a central brain and outsource tasks to other models [and] behave as an autonomous agent that can pursue a multi-step goal without human intervention (Auto-GPT). It is not an overstatement that there are already Sparks of AGI."  

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AI That Learns: We're Closer To AGI Than You Think -  [Caution... Watching this guy's videos is like trying to drink from a fire hose! They're loaded with good info, but it's best to just let the content wash over you and get what you can out of them. Don't try to retain all the details!] "Let's talk about AGI  - It's much closer and probably much scarier than you actually realize. In this video I break it down."

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ChatGPT Prompts Itself - Should We Fear AutoGPT?  "AutoGPTs the next frontier of prompt engineering... just like people join organizations so they can specialize, learn new skills, and work with others in parallel, AutoGPTs will do the same thing." 

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Full 60 Minutes interview: "Godfather of artificial intelligence" talks impact and potential of AI - "Geoffrey Hinton is considered a godfather of artificial intelligence, having championed machine learning decades before it became mainstream. As chatbots like ChatGPT bring his work to widespread attention, we spoke to Hinton about the past, present and future of AI."

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The AI revolution: Google's developers on the future of artificial intelligence  "Competitive pressure among tech giants is propelling society into the future of artificial intelligence, ready or not. Scott Pelley dives into the world of AI with Google CEO Sundar Pichai." 

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Learn more about these complicated and ethically-charged issues: 

• Here's how experts see AI developing over the coming years
• How should AI systems behave, and who should decide?
• Yes, Machines Make Mistakes: The 10 Biggest Flaws In Generative AI
• The Hacking of ChatGPT Is Just Getting Started
• Elon Musk, who co-founded firm behind ChatGPT, warns A.I. is 'one of the biggest risks' to civilization
• ChaosGPT is the first public attempt to destroy humanity with AI
• An AI Program Is Currently Trying To Destroy Humanity. It Has Access To The Internet.

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• Bill Gates predicts A.I. will change the world more and faster than his personal computing revolution
• What is Auto-GPT and why are hustle bros hype for it?
• GPT-4 tried to escape into the internet today and it ‘almost worked’
• Machine Learning Expert Calls for Bombing Data Centers to Stop Rise of AI
• The dark side of ChatGPT: things it can do, even though it shouldn’t
• ChatGPT's intelligence is zero, but it's a revolution in usefulness, says AI expert

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• Predicting “Black Swan” Disasters With AI Combining AI with Bayesian reasoning can help forecast events without a historical track record to analyze
• A.I. tools such as ChatGPT are the hottest new trend for companies, but experts urge caution
• Chinese Company Ditches Human Creatives for ChatGPT-Style AI
• Stability AI's New 'XL' Is a Super Powered Deepfake Generator for Businesses
• AI Doesn’t Need Consciousness to be Frightening
• Sam Altman: Size of LLMs won’t matter as much moving forward
• Worried About AI? The Feds Want Your Help Writing Rules to Keep It in Check

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Related articles from this website: 

• Inside the Black Box: Thoughts on Judgement, Intuition, Synthesis & Artificial Intelligence
• 6 Podcasts to Help You Become an Amateur Tech Geek