Artificial Intelligence: An Experiment

Science and technology are on an increasing upward arc, while politics and social living continue on a downward path.

This week from News from Science: “More energy out than in. For 7 decades, fusion scientists have chased this elusive goal, known as energy gain. At 1 a.m. on 5 December, researchers at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California finally did it, focusing 2.05 megajoules of laser light onto a tiny capsule of fusion fuel and sparking an explosion that produced 3.15 MJ of energy—the equivalent of about three sticks of dynamite.

“’This is extremely exciting, it’s a major breakthrough,” says Anne White, a plasma physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was not involved in the work.”

ChatGPT, launched in November 2022, is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI which specializes in dialogue. ChatGPT has been met with generally positive reviews. Samantha Lock of The Guardian noted that it was able to generate “impressively detailed” and “human-like” text.

I have always been a skeptic about artificial intelligence; however, I was impressed with my one-hour dialogue with a machine, something I never thought possible. Now I think that it is quite likely machine intelligence will have a great impact on human living. Remember that all modern states, whether empires or minor players on the international stage, are inventions that were impossible before Johannes Gutenberg developed the moveable type printing press between 1450 and 1455, the year he printed the Bible. Prior to the printing press, the world was populated by principalities with no common, standardized language, only dialects, often understood by just a small group of speakers.

Here is a short episode of my dialogue with ChatGPT.

Stanciu: What is beauty?

ChatGPT: Beauty is a quality that people often attribute to things that they find pleasing to look at or experience. Beauty can be found in many things, including nature, art, and even in abstract concepts such as love or kindness. Beauty is often associated with traits such as symmetry, balance, and proportion, but what is considered beautiful can vary greatly across different cultures and individuals. Some people may find beauty in the grandeur of a mountain range, while others may find it in the intricate patterns of a snowflake. Ultimately, beauty is a subjective concept that is defined by our own personal experiences and perspectives.

Stanciu: What does the phrase “Beauty will save us” mean?

ChatGPT: The phrase “Beauty will save us” is a quote from the novel The Brothers Karamazov by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. In the novel, the character Ivan Karamazov makes this statement to his brother Alyosha in response to Alyosha’s belief in the power of love and goodness. Ivan argues that beauty is the only thing that can save humanity from its own corruption and evil. This statement reflects the idea that beauty has the power to transcend the darkness and suffering of the world and bring people together in a shared experience of wonder and awe. It is a hopeful and optimistic view of the potential of beauty to bring about positive change in the world.

Stanciu: Please write a short essay on beauty will save us.

ChatGPT: The concept of beauty has been explored and revered by humans for centuries. Many people believe that beauty has the power to bring joy, inspire hope, and even bring about positive change in the world. There is a saying that “beauty will save the world,” which suggests that the beauty of art, nature, and human connections can have a transformative and healing effect on individuals and society as a whole.

One way that beauty can save us is by offering a respite from the stresses and challenges of daily life. When we encounter something beautiful, whether it be a stunning landscape, a piece of music, or a work of art, it can bring us a sense of peace and calm. This can help us to feel more grounded and connected to something greater than ourselves, which can provide a sense of meaning and purpose.

Beauty can also inspire us to be better people. When we are moved by something beautiful, it can awaken our hearts and minds to new possibilities and encourage us to act with kindness and compassion towards others. For example, seeing a beautiful sunset might inspire us to appreciate the beauty of nature and work to protect the environment.

In addition, beauty can bring people together and foster a sense of community and connection. When we share something beautiful with others, it can create a bond and a sense of unity. This can be especially important in times of division and conflict, as beauty can offer a common ground and a way to connect with others despite our differences.

Overall, the beauty of the world has the power to enrich our lives and bring about positive change. It can offer solace in difficult times, inspire us to be better people, and bring people together. In this way, beauty truly has the power to save us.

As an experiment, I suggest that you “dialogue” with ChatGPT and then post comments on this blog. Be hostile or friendly, imaginative or pedestrian, skeptical or enthusiastic, whatever you wish.