I’m a huge fan of AI and the value it offers our customers, business, and me personally. What bothers me is all the “information” being published on what it can do, and the stories of its danger!
“The real risk with AI isn’t malice but competence.” – Stephen Hawking
The funny thing about all these different stories is that the fear surrounding AI is no different than the fear other “new technologies” generated as they came on the scene, likely going back to the start of civilization.
Probably the two greatest technology impacts in my lifetime have been the Internet and cell phones. Naturally, my daughter can’t wrap her mind around life without them.
But even these were questioned – and feared – as they were introduced.
Certainly, the Internet and cell phones can be harmful, but that is far outweighed by their good when used properly. While I don’t pick up my phone at every traffic light, I do appreciate its assistance for other services while I’m on the move. And I don’t leave home without it!
“The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it, so it’s part of everyday life.” – Bill Gates
Being in the software manufacturing business, I have heard many comments on how AI will change my business model and eliminate the need for a lot of my technical talent. All of which I believe is wrong. We use it as a tool to “complement” our human knowledge, not replace it.
This week, Seth Godin had a story on AI and coding in his blog (Technical debt and AI slop | Seth’s Blog) that spoke to one of the many challenges this technology brings to software development. It highlighted an issue I hadn’t thought of yet, but could absolutely be a real challenge for many of us, so I thought I would share. Check it out – I would be curious to hear what you think.
AI is an exciting technology and one that offers a ton of new value. Our challenge is understanding it with our short-term and long-term goals before engaging.
