The Advent for AI and what it means for us as a whole
What do we do with the power handed to us?
Recently I just saw Sora get unveiled a week ago and I was struck with a load of feelings I could not comprehend immediately, for one I was baffled by how advanced and quick the technology proceeded to reach this stage and I felt awe by it. Like I was witnessing a great leap in history through a screen receiving information created and transmitted miles away, it was a complicated aura of emotion and whilst I felt impressed I also felt a strong fear.
It’s difficult to relish the achievements of such technology without considering the dangers of it, throughout history we’ve always had huge advancements that come with as many possibilities as they did questions and ultimately, consequences. Sora is an interesting bubble because it’s the first time in a while we’ve really seen the capabilities, and subsequently, the dangers of such a tool; In a nutshell, Sora can create up to 60 seconds video based off a text prompt, the prompt itself can include dogs podcasting on a hill, a futuristic neon-coded tour through the night city of Tokyo, and a stylistic and cinematic trailer of an astronaut (all of which are examples that have been done and look stupidly real). The most dangerous and exciting prospect is the fact this is the worst we’ve seen the technology in so far and it will only improve over time, it started off as horribly rendered videos that felt like it came from the deepest pits of the internet–a schizo nightmare that has now turned immeasurably realistic, an almost hyperreal output.
The concept of advancing and creating things easier for us has always been around in human history and notably as one industry advances the methods and tools formerly used were either improved on or discarded as a whole, favoring other methods etc. The very thing, and people, in danger of this advent of Sora are primarily artists and photographers and videographers and designers. It may seem hyperbole to dictate this from so early on but I do believe this threat needs to be recognized and legitimized through legislation and regulation. How long before we use AI in conjunction with our projects and habits before it overtakes them completely? It is something we must keep in mind and try to understand and control before the rush of euphoric achievement stands in its place.
I don’t believe AI will overtake humanity or whatever other dystopian thought exists out there, AI can only exist alongside human output as it primarily “borrows” from other creators and mixes it in its own stylistic coding. It is because of this that I will always have faith in human creativity and expression, it is what bonds us together and will keep lighting us in the dark. There is however the fear that AI will be able to create entirely on its own, and that fear is well-justified and must be kept in mind too. Our advancements are only as good as our control over them.
i would support AI iffff it created all on its own. because then it would really change things. as it is its more of an exceleration of the current climate. very like, nick land type situation.