Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been characterised as the most important technological breakthrough in the history of mankind.
This was the view expressed by BBC broadcaster and journalist, William Crawley, courtesy of his participation in an AI workshop recently hosted by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland.
Furthermore, the technology is still in its infancy stage, with Crawley referring to AI being at the Wright brothers’ stage of its evolutionary journey.
He further explained. “Some 50 years after the Wright brothers managed to develop manned flight for the first time, astronauts landed on the moon.
“The uptake of the technology will increase at an exponential rate over the coming years.”
Crawley believes that every aspect of society will be impacted by artificial intelligence over the coming years.
“It’s happening already,” he commented. “Farms that require no human input are already [in place] in the likes of China.
“And jobs will be lost across society as AI takes a greater hold over the coming years. This has always been the case as new technologies have been adapted.
“But on the upside, new job opportunities will be created by the enhanced adoption of AI, prompt engineers [who create instructions for AI systems] are a case in point.”
AI and journalism
The broadcaster indicated that journalism will be on the front line when it comes to changes brought about by the adoption of AI.
He likened the impact of the technology as being similar to the watershed moment that faced journalists some 40 years ago when they had the choice of sticking with pencil and paper or switching to a computer-centred working environment.
However, Crawley warned that AI is fallible. He said the technology will not get every fact right all of the time. But it has an in-built capacity to ‘learn’ on the basis of it being prompted correctly by the user.
Crawley believes that the technology can revolutionise the way that journalists and other professionals go about their businesses.
And it really is a case of practice delivering real competence where the adoption of AI is concerned.
Currently, the technology can be used to create or alter text, photographs and audio/video, but this is just scratching the surface in terms of what is coming down the track.
However, Crawley is resolute in his belief that AI will never replace human creativity or endeavour. Rather, it should be viewed as an adjunct to the skills and resources that everyone uses on a daily basis.
But to go forward with the view that AI is ‘not for me’ is akin to an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, he commented.
