Rumors

 I heard a rumor today that AI could write better than a human, and the person who tried it believed it was better. Then I told him that the resume he sent to an employer could be put through an AI detector. His chances of getting that job might be harmed rather than improved. So many rumors abound about AI that I don't want to even begin to discuss them. However, in another conversation, a dear friend said she didn't want to have anything to do with AI. I told her it was here to stay, and she insisted she would have nothing to do with it. I told her that ship had sailed, but she really believed she could keep it out of her life. 

How do we go about informing the public about what they need to know? When I became unemployed in 1978, computer science had just begun to transform our civilization. People I knew and respected didn't want to spend the time to learn it. They called me when they needed help. Today's children have grown up with it, and are light-years ahead of me.

Shortly after I wrote this, in October, a friend sent me a barrage of articles about the harm AI is causing or may cause. It caused a blockage because I didn't have the time to read them all immediately, and I didn't really want to read them. So much for my impartiality!

I'd like to finish with a summary from Snopes, soon to be outdated.

(1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of technology that focuses on developing machines and systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes tasks such as learning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI is achieved through the use of algorithms and computational models that enable machines to analyze data, make decisions, and improve over time. AI has applications in various fields, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and more. According to the Snopes Archives, AI has environmental costs, such as energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but it also offers potential benefits in mitigating climate change and improving efficiency. Additionally, AI-generated content, such as images and text, is becoming increasingly sophisticated and realistic, raising questions about authenticity and the potential for misinformation. It is important to stay informed about the advancements and implications of AI through reliable sources like the Snopes Archives.

(1) https://www.snopes.com/factbot/?query=AI%3F, accessed October 13, 2025