I was reading about ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence (AI) brand that first caught the world’s attention several months ago. Since then, AI has exploded into our lives, like it or not. Microsoft, Google, and all the big players have announced their own versions of this next generation of AI.

I was very curious in its early days. Its arrival coincided with my attention turning to making my compilation of my early Blogs in an iBook. How to promote it at zero cost.

So I decided to give the free version of ChatGPT a try. The site was jam-packed, and it took me a few tries to log on. I inserted  something like “write me a brief promotional paragraph for my free, first e-book titled For Curious Spirits, about going down rabbit holes.”

I waited about 30 seconds as it was thinking about my request.

Bingo, out came to its effort.

Are you a curious spirit who loves to explore and learn new things? 

If so, then “For Curious Spirits” is the perfect book for you. 

This free iBook offers a captivating journey down a variety of eclectic rabbit holes, allowing you to satisfy your curiosity and broaden your horizons. From fascinating facts to mind-blowing mysteries, “For Curious Spirits” has it all. 

So why wait? Download your free copy today and start satisfying your curiosity.

I was very impressed. I loved the opening line. I thought the ‘mind-blowing mysteries’ might be a bit of a stretch, so I rewrote that idea—a minor step. I had my promo item written. I was done.

Also, its power is a bit scary, as we are now finding out. Here’s an example of where the early adopters are using it.

Millennials – students, feel quite at home with it. A generalization, I know, but this Blog isn’t a research paper. AI is writing some homework for high school and university students.  How terrible, you say.

But I say, maybe not.

I remember when we couldn’t bring calculators to exams. It would stop us from learning math, was the cry from the adults. Let’s explore a straightforward example.

We need to understand the functions of a calculator, such as addition. I have 2 apples. After my friend gives me 4 apples. How many apples do I have? The calculator is useless until I know I need to add them together – not divide the 2 into the 4, the 2, or the 6.

Let’s make the example a bit more complex.

I have a jar of 436,829 pennies I’ve been saving. My Grandma gives me her collection of 332,987. It is still a straightforward math problem, but if you understand the concept of addition and when to apply it, a calculator would make getting the answer easy and accurate. I found a way to take the drudgery out of that moment.

I’ll insert an editorial comment here. It drives me crazy how many people working as a cashier can’t do the most straightforward act of giving change. But why would they? They’ve never had to do it as the till tells them how much to provide the customer.

We learn what we need to know. I learned my times table up to 12 x 12, and I use that knowledge frequently, but it isn’t necessary to have it stored in my head. I always have my calculator on my phone in my pocket.

I reflect on new technology and its unintended consequences. By definition, the outcomes are not known – yet. They will emerge.

Please give this a bit of a think. What is one thing new to your life that you are, let us say, concerned about the consequences? What are some benefits and drawbacks? For an extra challenge, give these responses weight. How likely is the result going to happen?

I’m curious about your thoughts. Please share your bit of a think below.

If you enjoyed The Blog, please share it with others. Thanks.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

And my thanks to St. Albert Seniors Association: 780-459-0433 for making this Blog possible.

Volunteer Blogger

TheBlog@stalbertseniors.ca