AI as a Companion, Not a Crutch: Understanding Its Role

You know, I see quite a few different thoughts on my app here at Alterd, and the biggest conspiracy I see is about AI being used here, and my biggest concern is if we know exactly what we're signing up for, or what we're doing, or what we download, and we know that this app has AI to a degree, why are we complaining about it, or even asking questions about it particularly? At some point in time, we need to understand the idea, the definition, and etymology of artificial intelligence, and understand that we make this exactly what we want it to be, and if we don't understand that, every point in time, there's going to be a complaint. I just wish people would understand how to use AI effectively, to where it is not just replacing things, it is a companion, it is a guide, it is something that you can use as a reference point, versus something that is a crutch, and I think a lot of people are using AI as a crutch, versus a companion tool. There are a lot of complaints made about AI and its uses, and it's a problem to me in a way, because I don't think that people realize that AI is meant to be used, just like every single piece of technology that we have had. Artificial intelligence is just a name for something that we give intelligence to outside of ourselves. This chat GPT, all of these things are not new AI. We have already had AI on our phones. They have already showed us what AI was going to look like years ago, even when it comes to hieroglyphics. I think at some point we need to understand that we cannot stop the evolution of technology, and at the same time, with that being said, we cannot change anything or create too much of what I would call new, because there is nothing new under the sun.

Reflects on the nature of AI, arguing that it should be treated as a collaborative companion tool rather than a crutch or a replacement for human intellect. Emphasizes that AI is a continuation of existing technological evolution and calls for a deeper understanding of its purpose to move beyond repetitive complaints.

Definitely agree

Frankly, I did not know this app had AI until after I signed up and actually opened the dashboard... Might be on me for not seeing that on the app store or anything, but still; besides, the point is the concept is great, I'd just rather have one space on the internet that's not shoving AI down my throat, I would rather not deal with it (and, especially, I'd rather not deal with 'artificially intelligent' people, 'dependent thinkers', if you will), as this bs technology isn't useful or good even as a companion, guide or tool. To say that there is nothing new under the sun is kinda nonsense though - there is plenty of new things to, even if not invent outright, then at least discover. In fact, I would even argue there is lots more we have yet to find, understand and create than there is stuff we have already done, but that's neither here nor there. To say something isn't new just because you've witnessed the cumulative evolution of the things that led to it's creation is equally nonsense - for example, a candle is just wax and a wick, two things that weren't new by the time people first started making candles, but just because you've seen it's percursors doesn't mean the new candle thing you can make with them isn't, in fact, a new creation, seperate in it's own right from the components it is made of; plus, that creation required the successive innovations toward the human capacity to produce both wax and wicks. The big difference here is, there's a point to making something like a candle - not to AI, though. "AI" is a tool, alright, but not for me, you or anyone else here that's not a billionaire: it is a tool exclusively desirable to the wealthiest layers of our societies, in their delusion that they can somehow forcefully create machines that can compensate for their lack of skills and substitute human, skilled labor, so they can do away with the rest of us. There is as much good to AI as there is to nuclear bombs - and it's widespread availability cannot but be compared to how radioactive materials were being put in everything and even being marketed towards kids in the 40's and 50's, regardless of the fact that that stuff both gives you cancer and is literally a weapon of mass destruction.

@brightpath39 lol then honestly, with that feeling, why be here? It wouldn't make sense. Comparing AI to nuclear bombs is kinda drastic because at the end of the day... Humans weaponize those things... User error.

@skyewiz honestly? Well, other than the great idea for an at least potencially incredible space, I, despite being so with a tinge of pessimism, am actually a hopeful and optimistic person and I still have faith in humanity (I happened upon your post about being in love and that's the kind of stuff I'm talking about lol, also, good for you man :) ). I also just downloaded the app so there's that too, Im still looking around and seeing what this is about and frankly, though it may be using our posts to train AI which... Well, as my previous comment would suggest, wouldn't make me too happy, the app doesn't seem to force AI on us all that much? At the end of the day, it does seem like this is a decently built app for a shared space to contemplate the human experience and altered states of consciousness and, if it can be good at that, it might be worth a shot. On the comparison with nukes, well... It might be a bit exagerated but... They are both weapons of mass destruction, even if there's positive uses for both of them (like nuclear power, which is the most sustainable source we have, or non-generative medical AI tech for helping with scanning and such). And I mean, you are right in that non-generative AI (which imo none of these things should be called AI but they do it to impress and appease both the public and shareholders) isn't at all a new thing and I'm not against that kind in any way, it's the picture and text generating affronts to every actual creation which drain more water in a day than all humanity combined and disturb & destroy local ecosystems that really mess me up. Cheers, and keep loving intensely, it's a beautiful thing - and as human as it gets.

@brightpath39 That I can understand. Humanity has a way of being both concerning, and uplifting at the same time