Generative AI – The Smartest Tool In The Shed
Recently, there’s been much public discourse around the application and impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms. Proponents tout its limitless potential for practical use and enhanced efficiency. Critics, on the other hand, fear the threat of job replacement and the questionable ethics surrounding its potential to infringe on copyrights. With the ascension of Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, there’s reasonable concern around job replacement and ethical usage. But there is also a lot of evidence of its potential to complement and enhance human capabilities, making tasks easier and more efficient across all industries, including information technology.
What is Generative AI and why has it gained popularity?
Generative AI uses natural language learning (not requiring code programming) to produce content such as high-quality text, image, code, audio, video, data and much more – all in seconds.
According to Gartner, Generative AI, or GenAI, will become “a general-purpose technology with an impact similar to that of the steam engine, electricity and the internet… The impact of generative AI will grow as people and enterprises discover more innovative applications for the technology in daily work and life.”
With its exponential capacity for effective and easy usage, it’s clear to see why AI platforms such as ChatGPT have gained fever-pitch momentum. Imagine bolstering clear deficiencies in your professional and personal life, or supplementing capabilities to spend less time performing basic tasks. Through GenAI, we’ve discovered a way to impact the masses with the power of artificial intelligence.
Benefits of Generative AI
The current and future benefits of GenAI are shaping up to be far-reaching in application, allowing users to automate tasks, develop ideas and products faster, and improve overall productivity.
Today’s version of Generative AI requires attentive scrutiny and human oversight to confirm accuracy and precision. But as this technology matures, continuously learning from pointed feedback and relevant source material, it will be instantaneous in its production of quality assets of all types, and across countless industries.
What can Generative AI help with right now?
Coding: GenAI can act as a programming assistant, creating technical code for software programs, web applications, and more code-based technologies. It also has the power to fix and enhance existing code, saving countless man-hours and optimizing costs.
Writing assistant and idea generator: Similar to creating and enhancing code, Generative AI can perform the same function for the written language, both short and long form. Writing tasks such as drafting emails, memos, reports, essays, narratives, scripts, etc. are made easier with the assistance of GenAI.
Data Analysis and Business Strategy: This technology can rapidly analyze massive datasets, organizing its findings however you choose to have it presented. Furthermore, GenAI can evaluate data and make sophisticated recommendations, assisting in high level tasks such as business strategy and development.
Image/Video: With a simple script or guide, GenAI can generate elaborate images and videos to be used in marketing, promotions, presentations and more. You can also edit this content and develop collages, trailers and reels.
In essence, Generative AI can make tedious tasks easier, benefitting competition as more people gain access and exposure to these capabilities. With less time dedicated to generating content, more time can be spent problem-solving and developing big picture ideas.
Challenges and Risks
If something sounds too good to be true, there’s usually something being overlooked.
With GenAI it’s no different. It could be used by cyber criminals and nefarious parties to execute elaborate scams, cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. This may make bad actors more prolific and potent in their various attack vectors, placing onus on individuals and organizations alike to invest more in their cybersecurity protections and posture.
GenAI also raises ethical questions around cognitive bias learned from slanted or incomplete source material, as well as the potential for infringement on intellectual property and image/likeness rights. Is it fair to have a technology of this power and magnitude operate with prejudice, or use protected content without credit or compensation?
At the forefront of these looming concerns is the threat of AI replacing human jobs, displacing scores of professionals from the workforce. This is a vibrant point of contention that has many experts divided, their views of its impact split between job replacement and job transformation and enhancement. If platforms such as ChatGPT are currently exceeding human level performance on problem-solving and exam testing, over time it’s difficult to calculate its exact impact.
With time, hopefully these plausible concerns will be rectified and not exacerbated. Whichever camp you may fall into, there’s no denying the widespread impact Generative AI will have on the workforce.
The Importance of Embracing Change and Advancement
Although artificial intelligence has been around for decades, its latest iteration appears to be the next step into making this technology accessible for the masses. As detailed earlier, Generative AI has the power to transform countless industries, which underlines the importance of learning how to work alongside this technology rather than rejecting it. Collaboration is needed to properly guide and oversee the use of Generative AI, ensuring the challenges and associated risks can be addressed and mitigated.
Additionally, as Generative AI becomes more utilized, there will be a significant gap between those who are comfortable with this technology compared to those who choose to avoid it. In cases where AI can be leveraged, as the technology progresses and the skills of those who interact with it increase, that gap could be exponential.
The key to a commensurate partnership between humans and AI is to discover ethical ways to collaborate that complement and value the capabilities of all parties. That partnership may arrive sooner than anyone expected.
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For more information about Seneca’s Cybersecurity services, please contact us at (703) 390-9099, or info@senecahq.com.