I’ve been trying to get a grasp of just what this AI thing is all about. I hear the pundits talking about the dangers of it and others telling me how great it will make things in the future. I admit I’m a bit of a skeptic when it comes to new technology, I’m not one to buy into every new thing that comes along.

Apparently, we need these data centers to power the AI. The big issue with data centers seems to be the amount of electrical power they require and a method of cooling them. A lack or power or cooling and that AI isn’t so smart after all. If it’s artificial, it is dependent.

I tried out a book writing AI thing. You just enter a sentence or two, give it a theme and it begins to generate an entire book. It was actually pretty impressive how quickly it did that. It wasn’t my words though and I wouldn’t present them as such, even though I was assured I could indeed do just that. I was even told I could sell it on Amazon and make a lot of money! There were testimonials.

I have heard some concern that these AI programs may take over. Yes, they may begin to divert and control the power grid. We may not be able to stop them! Well, I just say, unless that computer is shooting out death rays or whatever I can just pull the plug! Knowledge is power, that can’t be denied, but I can deny the power!

In the bigger picture man has always worked toward dependence. We like to call it progress. Thing is, how many of us could survive today without all our technology? We have TV reality shows about that. Naked and afraid is a good example of that.

We have managed to make life easier no doubt about that. All the comforts at our fingertips. We create programs to provide those comforts to those that can’t manage to earn them for themselves. And now we are making machines to do the thinking for us! It’s faster, more accurate, and works 24/7. In fact, it is rather “Spock” like, unfeeling, unconcerned with emotional issues.

Nations are now in discussion concerning the development of AI. I wonder what they are talking about? In the last century we developed the atom bomb. Then we had the SALT treaties to limit their use and development. Is that the idea behind these AI talks? Limiting intelligence?

Well, no one likes a know it all. Should we now be concerned with knowing too much? If AI gains the upper hand in knowledge, can it, will it, take over mankind? That seems to be the concern. Personally, I’m not worried about that.

I worry more about future generations becoming completely dependent upon technology. I came from a background of you built it yourself, fixed what you had, or you did without. I had to learn how to do stuff for myself, by myself. DIY wasn’t a hobby! It’s a way of life and should be encouraged!