Note - much of this blog post was written with the use of Chat GPT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. I will note where the my own writing is inserted.

First, I asked Chat GPT to write a blog post explaining Artificial Intelligence and giving a few examples from everyday life. Here's what I got...

(Chat GPT writing)

Have you ever heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? It's a fancy term for technology that creates machines that can do things that usually require human intelligence. But, with AI becoming more common, you might be wondering if you should be worried about how it could affect your life. Let's talk about it!

Did you know that you might already be using AI in your daily life? For example, virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa can help you with tasks, such as playing music or setting reminders. Also, your phone might use AI to predict what you're typing or suggest words when you're texting. Social media ads are also personalized using AI, which can show you things that interest you.

Next, I asked Chat GPT to write from the point of view of a teacher concerned about the misuse of AI and its impact on students.

(Chat GPT writing)

As a former teacher, I have concerns about how AI may impact students' learning. For example, AI-powered writing assistants could make it easier for students to plagiarize, without really thinking about the content they are producing. As educators, it is important to teach our students to use AI responsibly and to think critically about the information they are using in their assignments.

I prompted Chat GPT to write a paragraph about the recent photo of Pope Francis that fooled lots of folks, me included, and to issue a caution about what we see online.

(Chat GPT writing)

Recently, an AI-generated photo of Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket was shared widely on social media. While this may seem harmless, it is important to remember that AI-generated images can be used to spread misinformation and fake news on the internet. With the advancement of AI technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not.

(Me Writing)

Here’s an example of "fake news" I created using Canva, a graphic design tool.

The original photo on the left depicts a woman holding flowers. I used AI to change those flowers into a vanilla ice cream cone. Potentially, someone could alter a photo of you, putting your head onto someone else and causing a bit of mayhem in your life.

It's not just photos. Entire videos can be created pretending to be actual humans, when it fact, its completely Artificial Intelligence at work. Want an example?

Here's a 60-second video I created using AI.

(Me writing)

Again, Chat GPT wrote the script. Then an AI program called Fliki inserted video clips and the voice of an AI "person." I chose the voice of Davis, who I think sounds remarkably human.

My thoughts? A fun experiment, but consider how this ability to edit photos and videos can produce far more consequential misinformation. Be careful not to believe everything you see and hear online. More than ever, it's best to verify the authenticity of information before reacting to it.

In the past few weeks, some heads of industry, including Elon Musk, have cautioned we may need a pause in the explosion of AI. Imagine, the man who produces the driverless car, worried about AI??

In the end, I found my experiment with AI fascinating and a little bit scary. Like everything else, so much depends on the human who's using it.

Food for thought...

~ Rosemary

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