I’m torn.
And although I’m not yet lying naked on the floor (any Natalie Imbruglia fans here?), there's a topic I feel conflicted about.
Anyone who knows me well knows I was nerding over generative AI even before ChatGPT became a thing. Since then, I have researched and played around with it, and though I am by no means an expert, I think I have learned to use it relatively well.
AI is constantly discussed on LinkedIn; at least it is on my newsfeed. I mostly see two extremely opposing stances: people who are all for AI and wish to submit to our robot overlords, and people who hate AI and want to go back to writing with quills and parchment. OK, I’m overexaggerating, but it is true that overall, I’m mostly seeing black-and-white viewpoints with no in-between.
As a linguist, this landscape has made me feel weirdly ashamed of my interest in AI. I’ve not posted publicly about it, and I’ve even felt the need to hide it, especially on LinkedIn. I see many of my colleagues writing about how AI is ruining the field, taking the creativity out of writing and translating, and producing terrible quality. I understand these points—I really do—but I can’t help being fascinated by AI and wanting to learn more about it.
Maybe I’m oversimplifying it, but in my head, it feels like the self-checkout at a supermarket.
Most supermarkets offer the option to either go to a cashier or check out themselves.
What happens usually is that people will go to the cashier if they either: have a large or complex shopping cart, have difficulty using the technology to check out themselves, or simply want some human interaction.
People who use the self-checkout usually: have only a few items, are in a rush, or don’t feel like talking to anyone.
Self-checkout can often malfunction or be unsuitable for the amount or type of items the person is buying. In those cases, a staff member is usually on hand to help the customer and either direct them towards a till or help them navigate the machine.
This system means people can choose the option that best suits their preferences and needs, and honestly, I’ve never seen anyone complain about it. It also means that, for a supermarket to continue providing good service and meeting customer needs, they can’t fully replace staff members with machines.
So why is generative AI not seen in the same way? We go to linguists when we have a large and/or complex task or when we require a human touch; we rely on AI for simple tasks or ones that don’t require much creativity; and we count on experts to help when the machine doesn’t work correctly, or it requires human input to do the job.
Before I get roasted, I want to make it clear that I am NOT saying that AI can or should replace us human linguists. I think there are certain important tasks that only a human can do, and I doubt that will ever change.
So, my question is: Am I wrong for thinking this way? Does this make me a disgrace to my craft? Does anyone else feel the same way?
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3moI'll keep this in mind