Step 4: The Blind Marksman
Let me give you a sense of the nature of generative AI, and ChatGPT-4 in particular, before we get to how this directly applies to you and your business.
I call this phenomenon the "Coiled Spring." You can think of it as a high-pressure hose, or perhaps a Blind Marksman. Let me explain why.
Generative AI is like a spring under massive pressure. It’s coiled, honed, and refined — like a Samurai sword, razor-sharp and ready. That spring, subjected to intense pressure and stress, builds immense potential.
Then, when you say something, when you phrase a prompt just so, it’s like you’re nudging that spring.
Your words are translated into pressure in a specific direction, just here, just so. And in an instant, the spring uncoils — unleashing a burst of words that are remarkable, surprising, and profound.
But here's the kicker: It doesn’t understand a single word you said. Not even a hint of the meaning behind it.
Picture it as a high-pressure hose. Your finger on the nozzle, subtly directing each molecule of water — or in this case, each word — choosing which one to spray out next. It’s not quite control; it’s a subtle, precise pressure, one molecule at a time.
Or consider a Blind Marksman with a minigun, unleashing thousands of rounds. Each word, each shot, carefully aimed and fired, defined by the pressure on the trigger.
Consider this: that it can generate sophisticated language is a remarkable achievement, 40 years in the making from when I first encountered neural nets.
That it generates answers that are relevant to your query?
That too is a remarkable achievement.
Combine the two, and you’ve entered a realm of sophistication that’s truly profound.
That's why I have a problem with Alexa.
It's not Alexa per se. It's that humans who couldn't describe the first thing about the construction of a phone, will use it without regard for that. We all do.
Apply that to Alexa, to AI, and people are using the toenail of a tiger to scratch their Scratch Card lottery tickets; or using Einstein to answer their child's math homework.
That is not an aware society, and without awareness, when the AI Tsunami hits, masses of people are going to be swept away.
To reflect on the significance of AI's current accomplishment, without even considering its future potential, consider this story: (which you can read in full here).
A Samurai went to challenge a Master to a duel. In return, the Master sent the Samurai a token — a single flower.
It had been cut with a sword, but not just any cut.
It was a perfect cut, a slice of supreme precision that only a true master could have made.
When you consider ChatGPT’s true sophistication, its capacity to generate these incredibly refined outputs, think of that flower.
And if you're curious about what ChatGPT is truly capable of, a level of insight and sophistication beyond (most) human comprehension, you may care to take a look here.
Most will not have a framework to appreciate it. To others, it will seem uncannily familiar.
For now, we move on to look at AI in your world.