The Future is Now

the AI apocalypse [View in browser](=.vWZq8r9VWa9HWgfD6nuyrxA948b8oKW0FXoIoAA9x7c) Although I'm wary of AI technology, I'm fascinated by digging up classic authors' futuristic predictions, and that fact that we are living right now in the dystopia many authors couldn't imagine would actually arrive. In 1637, Descartes predicated that we would always be able to tell Machines from Real Human Beings, because humans would not be able to master language - both written and spoken (AI has already managed both). But also, that a machine can never be conscious enough to reason like we do; that they can only ever mimic and copy: Although such machines might do many things as well or even better than any of us, they would inevitably fail to do some others, by which we would discover that they did not act consciously, but only because their organs were disposed in a certain way. And that's how most writers and artists are reacting to AI - no matter how good it looks or sounds, [it isn't REAL](=.ldnvipzzLD4UEXkR7Zn1dfuA4QgAKw3pvmKMlDP8jJ8). In a 1958 interview, while talking about Brave New World, Aldous Huxley said "All technology is morally neutral. These are just powers that can be used well or ill." But he also warned about the future dictators who would use [insidious technology](=.jynmqgjw9PFq8lNV-FZ3dUSimJpG_M7-CfubHZSQ3fQ) to foment new forms of propaganda: I think this is the danger, that actually people may be in some ways happy under the new regime. But they will be happy in situations where they ought not to be happy. That's why I think it's so extremely important here and now to start thinking about these problems not to let ourselves be taken by surprise by the new advances in technology. Things that should concern you right now (as a writer) - Amazon, Spotify, Google etc are all offering AI voice narration for audiobooks. - AI tools are now (already!) *built into* Microsoft Office, Windows, Canva, YouTube, Facebook, Adobe and just about everything else. - Sora's video generator + Apple Vision Pro have made actual VR... not to mention functioning humanoid robots, something likely to manifest in the next few years, replacing countless jobs in all industries. - People are sharing unrealistic AI images like crazy on social media; warping social perspective on what's real and what's possible, leading to massive disappointment when the same dreamy visions aren't achievable in real life (#willywonkaexperience). - Amazon and IngramSpark are building systems to allow and even support AI created books. - Some authors are being accused of using AI even when they haven't; and the accusers are getting sued for slander and libel. Mostly, it's a messy time to be an author. But it's also *easier* than ever before, because there are [AI tools](=.5mYnFrob0-jxaIKeLdYIQQBbPtMgZlgna1cqyO62uQ0) that can act like a research assistant or editor to help take some of the workload of your shoulders so you can focus on the fun, creative stuff... Although I'm just a rambling philosophy major with a blog, I got invited to speak at an AI conference next week about how AI will affect writers... I'll tell you more about that later but if you'd like to get updates on that event, there's a free guide you can sign up for here - [the AI writing blueprint](=.BJuALvvmSgnHICFXpSbcFnp36dJkstikTCorx5DvwV4). Stay Creative! Derek Murphy @creativindie Ps. Huxley also said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" - I don't mean to be dramatic, and obviously my own rough ideas and reflections won't do much to sway your personal opinions about AI. For my own self, I'm asking - as [Roald Dahl did in 1953](=.enaj7sSpVzD3UEfBArYv6tuE6ol08rHbxGGET681wNs), if the choice is to coexist with machines that steal the joy from creativity, or be replaced - is fighting against AI and refusing to accept any form of support from these new and powerful tools, the moral high ground I'm ready to perish on? Is resistance an ethical obligation for creatives, and one that does not apply to all other forms of work and so *only* punishes the artists and dreamers who cannot adapt without destroying their identity? If this is something you're wrestling with, I empathize. And whether you're pro-AI, anti-AI or somewhere in the wretched middle, I hope I can help you stay informed. =.ru1F5JrzZrsFdalY93m_v5A8YnnaTOWhGhNT8dUQMjQ [Share to Facebook](=.nmtEEGnn3zNYeKR7MnHgHW-RqmPqsTiur-0G9JqUTXE) =.xcwedZynVWY_ZAu45k4ToYFC6ECyiHjIFznNOqvJLtU [Share to Twitter](=.F93_H43t1kGt6H_aZSyvXRcOx5myAzVGg-9nDKYMS7E) =.iEnK7XUXSwzbP5QvEsx0WvSxwyaK58c9suIRTtRUpT0 [Forward email](=.xfPBAEs5dJwEDP2zQ33gzIO66hqdCnwudm21866YrUc) Do not want to see it again? [Unsubscribe](=.wJ7YjmJx49ACWc9Gj18qpn2S_3zbEkO4d-YHMmPC5R4) Derek Murphy [Creativindie.com](=.V3yBPARsVd2jwD9YyhcYqDz3qTa7f8Mw7vS9KrT2WuU)Â | Portland, OR Location Independent - Usually in a castle or cabin.