[Me & X] GPTs as Warfare
X : Can you summarise the issues of AI for me?
Me : No. AI is a field. However, I'll guess that you actually mean large language models / GPTs?
X : Yes
Me : GPTs are a non kinetic form of warfare designed to embed the values of a small number of people into much wider communities by capturing the process of decision making. The delivery mechanism is the appearance of helpfulness i.e. coherent and authoritative arguments. The payload is helplessness and the creation of a new theocracy.
X : That's not what I was after. I was thinking copyright and existential risks?
Me : Do you mean frontier "AI"?
X : Yes.
Me : Frontier AI and copyright are distraction mechanisms, probably in part funded by the vendors themselves, to divert your attention from the real dangers of embedded values caused by these forms of warfare.
X : Stop calling it warfare.
Me : Would ... "Beware of geeks bearing gifts?" ... be more helpful?
X : What about the power issues?
Me : It's all about power, always has been.
X : I was talking environmental cost.
Me : Another distraction, to avoid discussing the only thing that matters.
X : Copyright, frontier AI and environmental costs are not distractions!
Me : They are things you care about?
X : Yes.
Me : Ah, they are things you value. Well, I only have to wait and eventually your values will be those that the vendors value. Your ability to reason will be confined by the tools, language and medium those vendors control. If they care, you will care. If they don't, problem solved. And you won't even notice.
X : I'm not some automaton.
Me : You missed the word ... "yet". You will be, quietly typing away on your favoured GPT asking it how you should think about this discussion. But don't worry, it'll tell you that you're still in charge and making really excellent points.
Originally published on LinkedIn.