{"id":119836,"date":"2023-10-19T22:27:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T11:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=119836"},"modified":"2023-10-19T22:28:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T11:28:35","slug":"committee-for-lorne-the-parallel-universe-of-the-chatbot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/committee-for-lorne-the-parallel-universe-of-the-chatbot\/","title":{"rendered":"Committee for Lorne: The parallel universe of the chatbot"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new age is lapping at the feet of modern societies … the now popularly called phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence [AI].\u00a0 In the last two decades, AI has burst the banks of the pure research space it had previously occupied … I even co-authored a couple of AI research papers in 1992\/93 that explored the possibilities of using AI as a diagnostic tool in kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

The application of AI is loosely defined as “… the intelligence of machines or software as opposed to the intelligence of humans or animals”.\u00a0 It is the robust and growing branch of computer science that develops and studies intelligent machines.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we may not immediately recognise it, AI now sits embedded as a ubiquitous behind-the-scenes player in everything from border security and surveillance, banking and finance, space exploration, and smart assistants to healthcare, manufacturing robotics, retail, social media, gaming, and much more.\u00a0 The power of AI seems almost limitless.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though AI already offers many advantages and benefits in our daily lives \u2014 whether we know it or not \u2014 we are only just waking up to the dark and murky webs that trail from its underbelly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of us first met chatbots at sites like Telstra, our banks, and other customer-oriented services: those automated ‘assistants’ that pop up and cheerfully ask us <\/span>… “how can I help you?”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 Then, after a long and turgid parallel conversation with a machine that all too often doesn’t seem to quite ‘get’ the nuances of our specific problem, we are left screaming impotently at our screens … <\/span>“please let me speak to a human!”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Recently, though, chatbots have been creating anxieties and testing the boundaries of honesty in the literary space\u2014 whether source, authorship, or accuracy.\u00a0 In our schools and universities, chatbots [like ChatGPT: aka <\/span>Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer<\/span>] now offer an ‘easy way out’ for students and\/or their teachers who have been caught napping with their assignments \u2014 and there is some evidence that they are being used to escape actual work and learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

I recently finished writing a novel \u2014 a fictional construct around the historical figure Somerled [Gaelic: Somairle], a powerful, charismatic 12th-century Hebridean warlord who united the warring Gaelic clans and interloper Vikings of the western islands of Scotland into a single cohesive kingdom.\u00a0 The kingdom became known as the Lordship of the Isles and Somerled’s descendants, the Lords of the Isles.<\/span><\/p>\n

While I did <\/span>not<\/span> use a chatbot at any time … heaven forbid … I <\/span>did<\/span> want to see what a chatbot might make of the task of writing a back-cover synopsis for “Second Sons” \u2014 an Amazon and Kindle requirement for any novel being published on their platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

ChatGPT will generate different versions for different purposes: for academic writing, research, storytelling, etc. … and will generate different versions within each primary category.\u00a0 It will ask for a desired ‘tone’: formal, informal, optimistic, worried, curious, assertive, or encouraging.\u00a0 It will ask for a preferred summary length: short, medium, or long.\u00a0 Multiple choices are offered to improve or alter the final product, and experimenting with these yields a dizzying array of like but different summaries.\u00a0 Indeed, it is hard not to admire the power of AI \u2014 and easy to see [and fear] its potential threat[s] to individuality and originality.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an experiment, I offered ChatGPT four keywords: <\/span>Somairle; warrior leader; Lord of the Isles; Scotland.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 I made no mention of Somairle’s life story, his development, or his legacy.\u00a0 Four keywords! … that was all the chatbot got!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I then asked ChatGPT to generate a synopsis of Somairle.\u00a0 It trawled the Internet and returned its synopsis … in 8.5 seconds!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Resubmitting returned a similar but different piece \u2014 with slightly different emphases and life facts.\u00a0 The piece is one of several similar but different versions I generated … all returned in less than 10 seconds!<\/span><\/p>\n

“Once upon a time.\u00a0 in the rugged landscape of the Scottish Isles, there lived a man named Somairle.\u00a0 He was a fierce warrior, a cunning strategist, and a revered leader among his people.\u00a0 His strength and skill in battle had made him a legend, and his courage and determination had earned him the loyalty of his followers.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

As the Lord of the Isles, Somairle oversaw the welfare of his clan, ensuring that they had food, shelter, and protection from their enemies.\u00a0 He trained his warriors to be fearless and disciplined in the face of danger, and he led them into battle with the same ferocity and determination that had made him a hero.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Despite his many victories on the battlefield, Somairle knew that the true measure of his success was not in the number of his victories, but in the strength and loyalty of his clan.\u00a0 He worked tirelessly to build alliances with other clans, to resolve conflicts through diplomacy and compromise, and to ensure that the interests of his people were always protected.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

As he grew older, Somairle began to turn his attention to the future of his clan.\u00a0 He knew that his legacy would not be measured in his own lifetime, but in the generations that would follow.\u00a0 He began to groom his eldest son for leadership, teaching him the skills that he himself had learned over a lifetime of experience.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In the end, Somairle’s greatest achievement was not in his victories on the battlefield, but in his legacy as a wise and just leader who had secured the future of his people for generations to come.\u00a0 His name has been enshrined in the history of the Scottish Isles, his deeds remembered and celebrated by his descendants, and his legacy honoured by all who value courage, wisdom, and strength.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Readers will not likely know, but this summary of Somairle’s life and legacy is pretty much spot-on!\u00a0 While my story is a fictional adventure story based on his life’s known facts, it reasonably closely parallels the ChatGPT review.\u00a0 I could easily have used the bot’s version \u2014 with only a little adaptation here and there \u2014 to encapsulate the storyline of my novel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what prompted me to write this short piece on AI and chatbots … other than as a sneaky way to advise that “Second Sons” is now available on Amazon and Kindle?\u00a0 Firstly, it is timely to alert to AI’s all-pervasive presence in our daily lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secondly, it alerts to the potential for students, journalists, researchers \u2014 and more \u2014 to be seduced by AI and its substrates [like ChatGPT], thus avoiding the necessary background work for papers or articles they may be required to produce.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thirdly, there is the issue of information accuracy … for information garnered seemingly at random, without referencing, and without sifting for veracity threatens the very fabric of truth.\u00a0 To winnow the truth from the chaff of opinion and bias is a very human endeavour … an endeavour that intelligent machines and AI will likely never fully replicate.<\/span><\/p>\n

John Agar\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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A word from the Chairman<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hello<\/span><\/p>\n

Conflict is in the air and in the headlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We continue to witness unspeakable brutality and evil in Israel and the ongoing destruction, displacement and bloodshed both in Israel and in the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 We see the despair in the eyes of parents and children and we know that a new generation of hatred and conflict is being created.\u00a0 We pray for a swift and humanitarian solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

In our own country we see division and conflict also.\u00a0 A well-intentioned attempt to recognise our aboriginal citizens proved not to resonate with the majority of Australians.\u00a0 After a campaign that was at times personally insulting to many good people, the voice of the people has spoken.\u00a0 It is now a time for healing, and getting on with the job of fixing the health, education and income disparity problems that face our indigenous brothers and sisters.\u00a0 These issues need to be dealt with at a grass-roots level, not in the bureaucracy of Canberra.<\/span><\/p>\n

More locally, our Community Noticeboard Facebook page exploded over what is going to happen with our prized theatre building.\u00a0 As the dust settles, it now appears that all may be ok and everyone\u2019s wishes will be accommodated.\u00a0 Once again some of the comments were ill-founded (or mischievous), derogatory and offensive.\u00a0 We are fortunate to have our freedom, freedom of speech and platforms to express our opinions, but it is important that they be based on fact, considered and respectful.\u00a0 I know electronic ink is cheap, but please think before you tap!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our beautiful town continues to spring into life. The regeneration of the Cumberland restaurant continues as we await the coming of a new Country Road store.\u00a0 We have also seen the arrival of a new bar and grill, Margaritas (on the bend), and we now hear that the Pacific is to re-open the bar and restaurant under the management of some returning locals.\u00a0 We look forward to enjoying these new hospitality offerings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly the news for the Foreshore precinct is not so good, with a sign advising, \u201cAquatic facilities are closed for the summer season\u201d and just to demonstrate the point, there is no water in the pool!\u00a0 This is extremely disappointing, especially when we were told earlier this year what a wonderful facility it was going to be for our community this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our next Committee for Lorne lunch is being held on Friday November 3 at Stribling Reserve Community Pavilion.\u00a0 Come along to hear updates from Carly Stafford, our school Principal, and Committee for Lorne about recent developments.\u00a0 Our guest speaker is Ballarat horse trainer and racing commentator, Henry Dwyer.\u00a0 Henry will give us an insight into the \u201csport of kings\u201d and maybe a few tips for the Cup Carnival.\u00a0 Book a table with your friends or come along and join other locals and visitors.\u00a0 Cost is $40 per head, with drinks at bar prices, and bookings (essential) can be made at \u00a0 <\/span>nicole@greatoceanroadrealestate.com.au<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheers<\/span><\/p>\n

John Higgins Chairman<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Lorne Ward Events Calendar – <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

October<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n