Is AI dangerous or helpful?

Lately, there have been frequent discussions about AI within my circle of acquaintances. Some reject it entirely, others simply can’t relate to it at all, while others—myself included—are open-minded when it comes to AI. Here on SW, I’ve had some fun creating posts featuring a comic-book version of myself traveling the world. It was a great way to pass the time and brought me a lot of enjoyment—but it’s all just harmless, playful experimentation. Most of the comments were very kind, though I did notice that some people are completely opposed to AI. That’s just something you have to accept; everyone is entitled to their own perspective, and that should be respected. In my personal life, however, AI—specifically ChatGPT—has actually been quite helpful. For instance, my washing machine was still cleaning my clothes properly, but a red light stayed on constantly, and it made a lot of noise during the wash cycle. Through ChatGPT, I was able to identify several potential issues—most of which were beyond my ability to fix as a layperson (with the exception of the lint filter). It turned out to be a faulty solenoid valve—something well beyond my technical expertise! 🙈😂 In the end, I decided to buy a new washing machine, as repairing the old one—which was already eight years old—wouldn't have been worth it. Another example involves an old Technics stereo system, which consists of four separate components, including a tuner. I asked AI whether it was possible to use that tuner to receive internet radio. It turns out it is, though it requires purchasing additional equipment—which isn't exactly cheap. Still, that’s the kind of information I wouldn't have been able to get at an electronics store. My conclusion: for personal use, AI is a useful tool. I see it as a supplement, not a replacement! ☝🏻.....by the way: this post was translated from german into english by an app, and this app is AI too...i don't know if it translated my german text well 😂

KatyO83 · 41-45, F

AI is undoubtedly useful but then there is the other side. Like industrialisation in the Victorian age, agricultural revolution before that it will inevitably lead to jobs disappearing or becoming a craft not a mass employment. Take computer programming a friend if mine in IT says in three years it's almost disappeared. Now code is written by by AI and humans just test it.

My job involves making decisions based on rules. In the last two years AI has taken much of that away from me and my team. My team is smaller as a consequence. But it is vastly quicker and more consistent. Will I be replaced? Possibly in a couple of years maybe. Or I'll simply be behind a dashboard making sure it's all green. But they aren't going to pay what they pay me now for that role. Once the model has sucked my experience into it's 24x7 superfast artificial brain why pay me anymore?

I worry about it being used maliciously. In the UK the government is on about we should all stock up on tin food and batteries and have an FM radio available. I think they know Russia is very likely to take our power grid out this winter via ai just as a warning to get us to back off helping Ukraine and not meet our nato obligations if they invade the Baltic states.

I worry criminals will use it to simply steal money in my accounts etc.

So it's all these things.

ImperialAerosolKidFromEP · 51-55, M

It's relieved me of a lot of nitpicky problems that used to make work a lot harder

Northwest · M

You're using it mostly for fun. You should take a look at the S-1 investment prospectus Anthropic filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It's 95 pages, summarizing the risk scenarios, and one of them, as clearly outlined by Anthropic, involves a catastrophic event humanity may have trouble surviving.

This is not fear-mongering.

The real issue though, is that the socio-ethical-environmental scenarios, have been pushed aside, in favor of pushing for military applications and short-term stock market performance.

But all these issues: autonomous killing machines, mass unemployment, self-worth, massive environmental damage, etc. are real and will need to be addressed, beyond your multi-country videos.