What is Artificial Intelligence?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence is when a machine made by humans collects information, patterns, and responses, and then automatically returns that information to the user to be used however. Because of the vast amount of information that has been stored on the internet "library", we have access to a level of intelligence that is beyond the human capacity. This overload of information and the easy access to it has made many feel that AI is unnatural or even demonic because it is beyond the bounds of the understanding of most. Let's explore how AI serves those of us who use it knowingly or not. And no, this article was not written by AI! It was written by your little monologuer, Eva.

When you create something like an excel document on your computer, you've just used AI. When you select information in the boxes and drag downwards, you've just commanded artificial intelligence to automatically repeat or continue the sequence of all that information so you won't manually have to.

When you google something online, you are commanding artificial intelligence to search the whole database and collect any information that contains the words you've used. The newer systems on computers and phones are now using the upgraded AI technology on all these searches to give you the answer. Some of them will show little AI symbols like this one (✨), but not all programs will label it since AI is thoroughly integrated into their systems.

When you use Facebook or any social media to make a post or comment, AI posts it for you. AI has been programmed to automatically scan this information and record it in its databank. Congratulations, you've just contributed to AI's intelligence.

Ever thought about the predictive text that happens while you're texting or searching something? That's AI too.

Ever use google docs, Word, or any other online or offline autocorrect/spellcheck? AI.

Every program you use on your computer or app you have on your phone is AI. AI is a program. Programs are automatic, and all their functions are robotic. They are simply codes placed there by humans so human beings don't have to operate them. The smarter the human beings get with this coding, the smarter AI will seem.

If you own a smartphone, there are AI receptors in it that will process the sounds it hears so it can provide personalized content for you. This is why you'll have adds showing up based on what you may have been talking about in conversation recently. Some people think this AI can even read their minds. They've merely thought something and then had adds or Youtube videos recommended on that very thing. I've been creeped out by this happening to me on a couple occasions, but I think this is easily explained. They're getting very good at monitoring every move you make online. Did you know even the keys you press on your keyboard while writing are sent in for data analysis? If you hover your mouse over something, or if you hesitate while scrolling to read something, they can document that as well. You haven't said a word. Mayve you paused to read a steakhouse add and then later an unrelated Jordan Peterson add, and AI will put two and two together and start recommending you YouTube videos of Jordan Peterson recommending the carnivore diet. It's hit and miss. Sometimes it will get it what you're thinking about and sometimes it won't. You won't notice the adds it gets wrong, but you'll definitely notice the adds it gets right.

There is always a limit to everything. Where is your limit? Do you think AI programming is evil because of the people who made it, and if so, have you considered giving up the AI you use every day? I think it's a tad hypocritical of people to say AI is evil, but they continue to benefit from the AI that they've been accustomed to.

AI pictures and writing are all codes as well. The only reason these things are possible is because someone is back there feeding the program all the information needed. These people work day and night to refine and process these codes. Even though AI is automatic, it cannot function beyond what it has been given by human beings.

My concern with AI is that it has been designed to save time and create even more convenience than we have already. This could be a catalyst for an epidemic of laziness and people who cannot think and act for themselves, as if we don't already deal with enough of this today. As with every tool, people are using AI to harm others or steal information. And how will we know when AI, just like social media, is being programmed by humans to influence the masses? It takes a lot of discretion to survive in the modern world. Anyone who sees AI as dangerous and not to be trifled with honestly should get off Facebook, Instagram, Google, and all the rest of AI's sister programs as well.

Something that remains consistent with any program we use, is that there is always, always a programmer. I think the reason so many find AI disconcerting is because all they see is the automation, not the people behind it. AI is limited to the programming it gets from a human being. Everything automatic has to have rules set, codes given, and information gathered by a human being. The process is intricate and involves much work that is beyond most minds, but, it is not magic. Just like photography, sound recording, radio, internet, and telephone, all these things can be broken down and practically explained. They seemed like magic to those who first used them - for those using the first TV's it must have felt like they were looking into a crystal ball, but eventually people understood the dynamics behind ita all and accepted it as normal.

I believe AI and other modern inventions are like all tools: depending on the hand that holds it, it is capable of great good or great evil. I do wonder at times, just how far the human being will be permitted to invent and at what point too much access to knowledge becomes a problem, just as it was with the Tower of Babel. They wanted to reach for the stars, and I couldn't help but notice how some AI is symbolized by stars.  What is their goal to use this "tower" for? Personally, I will always do my best to limit how much I depend on programs. I would love to just disconnect and disappear into the real physical world of nature and humanity.