How to AI: Intro

Hollywood gave us two kinds of AI.

• Skynet, that wants to kill us.

• JARVIS, that wants to help us.

I don't know if the machines will be coming for us, but here’s my take:

You should learn how to use AI.

You don't have to become an AI sicko. But I want you, dear reader, to know how it can help your life and how to use it. The Terminator may or may not be on his way. But right now JARVIS is here to help.

Addressing Anti-AI Elephant in the Room

I don’t like cars. More precisely, I hate how the auto industry took a beneficial invention and used it to permanently jack up our country for their own profit.

But given that we redesigned the country for automobiles: I am glad that I have a car and know how to drive.

You can think about AI the same way.

Ethics? Yes, please!

I know many of you are anti-AI skeptics.

To be clear, I’d love if We the People were thoughtful about data centers: where they go, water sourcing, and how they're powered (probably nuclear).

We should be careful about what goes into our AI systems, and shrewdly evaluate what comes out. People should get paid when AI uses their stuff. We should be clear on the risks when we give over our information. We should be skeptical of and regulate all AI companies (hard).

We should think- and act- on the bigger questions around job displacement, ethics, security, and on and on. The philosopher in me has all kinds of thoughts, hopes, and predictions here.

But on the question of "Should we continue making AI?", I’d simply say that this is an irrelevant question. Like asking if the sky should be blue. You might make a compelling case for hot pink, but it’s probably not going to matter.

History, the nature of technological change, incentives, and the insane amount of investment going on right now all point to one conclusion.

Humans will continue building out artificial intelligence.

Regardless of what's coming, and regardless of whether you want the coming changes or not, I want my readers to at least know:

• How to use AI

• Ways it can improve your life

If AI is a car, we're at the Model-T stage. This car will quickly get better. And the world will adjust accordingly.

Will you climb in the seat? Where will you go?

That's up to you.