Artificial intelligence (AI) : When I found myself unemployed

In the aftermath of job loss, I embraced coding as a skillset, only to be confronted with resurgent fear-mongering by AI skeptics.

Silicon Valley endeavors to propagate the notion that humans are predictable and our skills dispensable, but I have come to realize the fallacy of such claims.

The better part of the 2010s witnessed my active involvement in the dynamic realm of new media. This chapter of my professional life was far from mundane, characterized instead by recurring layoffs and a barrage of taunting messages encouraging me to "learn to code" due to the perceived obsolescence of my industry. The initial amusement that accompanied such circumstances gradually diminished, prompting an act of both subversive defiance and reluctant acceptance. I embraced the goading advice, delving into the world of coding, and shifting my career trajectory toward the seemingly more secure path of web development. However, the emergence of AI advancements in recent times has cast doubt on the long-term viability of coding jobs. It appears that I unintentionally timed my career transition to align with the widespread integration of AI chatbots, which have also acquired coding prowess, often surpassing my own capabilities.

The world of code can be rather disconcerting for those unfamiliar with its intricacies: seemingly cryptic "languages" that often resemble a malfunctioning calculator. However, according to the ardent advocates of AI, these barriers are no longer insurmountable. Why bother grappling with the unnecessarily convoluted jargon required to achieve something as basic as displaying white text on a black background, when you can simply engage a chatbot and effortlessly obtain your desired code, along with simplified instructions?

During interactions with diverse chatbot platforms, it becomes evident that the AI algorithms may occasionally exhibit a notable margin of error, which can be rectified through a competent grasp of code. However, it is also conceivable to engage in conversational exchanges with the AI, allowing it to actively address and resolve any encountered issues. It is not difficult to envision a not-too-distant future where these AI systems possess the acumen to discern users' requirements and proficiently guide them through potential solutions, thereby seemingly relegating the role of human developers to a bygone era.

It is alluring to be swayed by the pessimistic outlook on job displacement caused by AI in this context. The most vociferous advocates of this technology are often the most enthusiastic proponents of embracing a future dominated by automation, where investing time in acquiring skills, executing tasks, or acquiring knowledge could be deemed obsolete. However, this perspective fundamentally muddles the notion of merely finding shortcuts to perform specific tasks with cultivating a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles and rationale.

AI chatbots have not disrupted a clandestine code-related omertà. Instead, they have assimilated a vast array of resources and open-source materials that were readily available online for human users to acquire knowledge from. Although users may endeavor to circumvent this phase by leveraging the chatbot's comprehension of this information, in doing so, they would relinquish the opportunity to grasp the machine's decision-making process, the underlying motivations driving those decisions, their efficacy, and crucially, the breadth of alternative options.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of web design and development lies in the art of lateral thinking. Rarely is there a definitive and singularly correct approach to achieving a goal. Instead, one must consider the diverse contexts in which users will engage with the website, the desired interactions, the intended emotional response, and even potential technical implications, such as the risk of overheating and device malfunction. A machine trained to distill the entire web into predictable patterns lacks the nuanced thinking required for such considerations, just as a user dependent on such a machine falls short.

I have been fortunate enough to carve out a professional niche where clients engage my services not only for my expertise in coding, which surpasses their own, or for my creative ideas in isolation. Instead, it is the unique amalgamation of these two aspects and the symbiotic relationship they share that has led to my professional success. Surprisingly, despite the initial coercion that pushed me towards learning to code, I have discovered a genuine affinity and enjoyment for it. The exhilaration that accompanies the successful execution of unconventional ideas is unparalleled. I wholeheartedly endorse and embrace the notion that web browsers have the potential to serve as incredibly creative and innovative platforms. Moreover, there are personal projects that I enthusiastically undertake, driven solely by my passion, regardless of financial compensation.

While it is true that AI may impact certain aspects of my earning potential, I refuse to hold such a dismissive view of my profession, reducing it to a mere act of entering commands into a chat interface. Such a perspective does not do justice to the intricacies and value of my craft, and it is not one that anyone should adopt.

However, there is a deliberate endeavor by Silicon Valley to foster the belief that the human intellect is predictable, replicable, and lacking sophistication. They attempt to reduce the arts and related domains to a collection of equations and keywords, leveraging the billions invested in machines capable of generating imitations of creative works and lighthearted depictions of Harry Potter characters adorned in Balenciaga attire.

When questioned about the possible applications of AI, Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI (the organization behind ChatGPT), offered an insightful forecast regarding the future of entertainment. He envisioned a scenario where individuals could utilize AI to request a revised conclusion for a show, citing the dissatisfaction surrounding the last season of Game of Thrones. Furthermore, he suggested the potential for users to even insert themselves as prominent characters within the alternative narrative.

The inherent capability for individuals to engage in such imaginative endeavors has existed since time immemorial, residing within the confines of their own minds. It is a testament to the lack of vision on the part of AI proponents that they implore us to envision possessing an imagination. These individuals fail to comprehend the intrinsic satisfaction and fulfillment derived from the creative process and are unable to fathom why someone would choose to craft their own narratives instead of outsourcing the entire endeavor to a machine. Their own dearth of conviction in their ideas is evident as they resort to relying on computers to generate Game of Thrones fan fiction, rather than engaging in the exercise themselves.

The most fervent anticipation surrounding AI's prospects emanates from those who perceive it as an enticing solution for cost optimization, liberating capital from its longstanding dependence on labor. It is patently ludicrous to posit that humanity's accumulated cultural heritage, spanning epochs and diverse forms of expression, has somehow reached an ultimate culmination, reduced to mere data points and fuel for training AI models that purportedly supersede our creative capacities. This notion is inherently flawed and fails to acknowledge the limitless potential for cultural evolution and innovation that lies ahead.

The process of feeding every artwork into a machine, which mechanically reduces them to a roughly averaged outcome, does not embody artistic expression. While it may serve as an amusing parlor trick or novelty, the AI's ability to generate somewhat plausible replicas of our creations stems solely from the fact that genuine individuals once possessed the thoughts, abilities, and determination to bring them into existence.

The looming presence of AI will inevitably be wielded as a weapon and a deterrent by those who perceive artistic endeavors solely through the lens of monetization, yet their perspective is flawed. Machines lack the capacity for self-expression, the innate urge to convey a profound message: "This is my identity, these are my emotions, and this is my stance." On the contrary, it is us, as human beings, who possess these qualities, and in all our pursuits, we must adamantly resist any attempts to undermine the true value of our humanity.

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