Artificial Intelligence (AI)

[Stanley]

I've noted the same thing David but have put it down to coincidence or my increased sensitivity.....

[PanBiker]

AI apart, the slow cooker does make rather nice rice pudding.

[Tripps]

What a site ! We start with Artificial Intelligence and end up making a rice pudding.

You recipe sounds good Ian. I'll give it a go.

One of the 'feeds' (Dinner Lady I think) started with two and a half pints of milk. Too much I fancy.

[PanBiker]

The 100g and 1 pint will make 4 servings at least and drink a bit more milk before it's done. You could probably go with half measures if you are just cooking for yourself. Only thing missing is the caramelised skin you get when done in the oven, depends how much of a purist you are I suppose. It will produce a bit of caramelisation round the edges of the dish, I always scrape these into the mix when stirring and adding a bit more milk.

No AI robots were harmed in disseminating this information.

[Tripps]

It can read my mind. . . . Be afraid. . .

Uncle Jim is coming this afternoon, and for tea I'm roasting a chicken in my Halogen oven. I haven't used since I bought the Airfryer about 18 months ago. I got it out because I know how to do the job with it, and I can't fit a whole bird in the fryer.

Now in the news feed I find Spooky.

[Stanley]

I have noticed similar coincidences David but don't spend too much time pondering on their meaning in the grand scale of life. I just accept the fact that I am being watched and analysed and ignore the input.
However, I do think the gadget manufacturers are working overtime on us. I can remember the day when a side oven on the kitchen range was a modern luxury.... (I had a beehive oven at Hey Farm, remember those?)
Microwaves, Slow cookers, air fryers and halogen ovens not to mention outdoor barbecues.... What next?
I'm a dinosaur..... I put my chicken in a closed roasting tin with it's accompanying veggies, herbs and spices and shove it in the oven. Mind you, I did cook some breast of lamb in the slow cooker yesterday.........

[Tripps]

I noted yesterday someone usng the term AGI (artificial general intelligence) in place of just AI.Make of that what you will. I'd say part of a PR mission to get a more wide acceptance.

More important was the fact that I read that Apple News announced the result of the World Darts Final - before the match had been played! I guess they are using AI to compile their news, and the fact that Luke Littler was an overwhelming favourite had been interpreted by the software as him winning.

Perhaps they should get a human being to have a look at some point.

Adding AI to existing sofware is widely promoted as an upgrade. I don't see it like that.

[Stanley]

The much used phrase, 'The genie is out of the bottle' springs to mind. AI is openly encroaching on many areas of life and no doubt covertly in many others. I see that there is a widely available AI App to assist you to write 'better'. We have seen what screen culture has done to the attention span, how long before the ability to string words together and write a latter or an essay becomes a lost art?
I agree with you David, 'enhancing' existing apps and programmes with AI is interference not an upgrade.
Later at 05:00.... I am listening to a programme on R4 discussing the use of AI in 'publishing cookery books......

[Tripps]

'The genie is out of the bottle'

I think you're right. Google now tell me today, that I can add AI to my Google One subscription. That will not be happening. I pay about £15 per year for photo storage and retrieval, and I get my money's worth with that.

I've tested Chat GPT with a couple of questions (to which I had a good idea of the answer). I asked how many lives had been saved by use of public access defibrillators. I suspect the answer is close to zero.

The reply was as if from a politician, who wanted to conceal the truth. Much background information about what was supposed to happened, but where a number could be quoted in repy - none was forthcoming.

We have one nearby in an abandoned phone box,between two villages. The chances of someone having a cardiac event whilst passing are remote I'd say, and the procedure involves phoning, on your mobile, for a code number to access the equipment.

I think AI is company driven by FOMO - fear of missing out - and I'll lose little by not joining in.

[Stanley]

"and I'll lose little by not joining in"
I hope you're right David because that's what I am trying to do but of course am not in control of some applications.
I am reminded of a problem solving mantra I used very successfully for many years which included the question; "What will happen if I do nothing?" I recommend the approach on encountering many problems.
(I have a current example.... for weeks I have been bombarded by junk mail warning me that my 'webmail' was to be suspended. I have simply ignored them. In the end they seem to have given up. )

[Tripps]

Sir Keith Rodney Starmer has given a speech today praising AI and committimg his Government's support.

I detect that the direction of travel is for AI to take over many search functions where as I demonstrated above, pure facts with citation of origin are replaced by the AI spin doctors' version of events which they would prefer you to access. (Conspiracy anyone?)

Fortunately there are enough "awkward buggers" and anarchist types on the web to push against this initiative.

I think at a pinch we might include the site antichrist Elon Musk amongst the gang.

His company Spacex is hosting a rocket which will land on the moon next week and take some selfies at its South Pole. You wouldn't think he had the time for such trivialities, when he has Oldham Council and Jess Philips to deal with as well.

[Stanley]

Starmer sees AI as the 7th Cavalry coming over the hill..... (Does it remind you of Wilson's 'white heat of technology' speech?)
Include me out! This could be an enormous mistake.

[Big Kev]

It's no match for natural stupidity

[Tizer]

Spot on, Kev. Like fire, explosives, horseless carriages etc the outcome always depends on how they are used. The human species still needs a bit more development, it's a work in progress!

[Stanley]

Funnily enough, what came into my mind was the use of repeated expensive injections to lose weight which lose their power as soon as you stop them.
Or statins to lower BP.
Quick fixes are never a good idea and I think Starmer sees AI as just that.
(Remember the fate of the Eloi in Well's novel the Time Machine? The Morlocks ate them.... If humanity relies on AI to do its thinking won't it lose the power to do it for itself?)