I realise this is a tricky topic and I hope it’s ok to ask this question. I genuinely want to hear how AI has changed people lives for the better. If you really hate AI I get it, but this isn’t a question for you then. Thank you and it’s all love.

(Edit: Thank you to all the positive commenters and for sticking with me through the inevitable negativity. Lots of really interesting comments in here 😁 We mustn’t let ourselves be intimidated by those who would try to forbid us from having these conversations. Thanks again)

  • Fallibilist@feddit.uk
    48·
    5 days ago

    In computer science AI refers to a system that’s capable of performing any cognitive task typically done by humans.

    The term isn’t losing its meaning. Its always been a broad term. Most people just think it means more than it actually does.

      • Fallibilist@feddit.uk
        34·
        5 days ago

        How am I supposed to know what field you have a degree in? Was I being rude towards you? I’m unsure what warrants this sarcastic courtesy.

        • HelloThere@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2·
          5 days ago

          The rhetorical mistake you made was an appeal to authority - “in computer science” - in your reply. This only makes sense if you presumed I don’t know the details behind my statement, ie I have not studied it.

          Any workable definition of AI must be more complex than a single, complete, procedure like path finding. If it isn’t, then any algorithm that is NP complete counts as AI.

          For example, a script that solves sudoku is not AI.

          • Fallibilist@feddit.uk
            13·
            5 days ago

            AI is a technical term with roots in computer science. That’s not an appeal to authority - it’s a factual statement.

            When a layperson hears “AI” they often think of AGI - something like HAL 9000. Then they look at ChatGPT, conclude the LLM isn’t (generally) intelligent, and decide it therefore isn’t AI. My point is that the term has a specific meaning and it’s not what most people think. I assumed you were one of those people. It doesn’t imply general intelligence. A very simple system can still be artificially intelligent in the classical definition of the term. A sudoku solver, a chess engine, and a navigator would all count.

            Nowadays the meaning has shifted a little and usually refers to a model that has learned from a bunch of data. By that definition none of the earlier examples qualify anymore except for LLMs.

            • HelloThere@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              2·
              4 days ago

              AI is a technical term with roots in computer science. That’s not an appeal to authority - it’s a factual statement.

              Then use a definition which would hold water academically.

              Switching between proper definitions and layman’s usage is basically the entire point of my original comment.

              But anyway, have a lovely evening.

            • Sergio@piefed.socialEnglish
              1·
              4 days ago

              You’re kinda right. It reminds me of:

              The AI effect is a phenomenon in which advances in artificial intelligence lead to a redefinition of what is considered intelligence, such that capabilities achieved by AI systems are no longer regarded as examples of “real” intelligence.

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_effect