Episode 25: An LLM Says LLMs Can Do Your Job, January 22 2024
Feb 1, 2024
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The hosts debunk claims that GPTs can replace human workers and critique papers on GPTs as general purpose technologies. They express skepticism about the potential impact of AI on economic growth and discuss the correlation between AI mentions and corporate expenditure. The value of AI in performing administrative tasks is explored, with humorous examples. The use of AI in ebooks and translation services is discussed, including the negative impact of AI-generated voices on language learning platforms.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast episode highlights the need for a balanced and cautious approach to AI hype, critiquing the exaggerated claims of AI's potential to replace jobs made by OpenAI and Goldman Sachs.
The unreliability of AI translations and voice recordings in language learning, as exemplified by Duolingo, underscores the importance of human expertise and the potential damage that unreliable AI can cause in language revitalization efforts.
Microsoft's decision to include an AI key on keyboards sparks criticism, highlighting the disconnect between the company's hype and user experience, as well as the lack of robust use cases and negative impact of enforcing AI functionality on users.
Deep dives
The podcast examines the dangers of AI hype and its impact on job security.
The podcast episode delves into the hype surrounding AI and its potential to replace jobs. It discusses the fear that AI will lead to widespread unemployment, with LLMs and GPTs being seen as potential threats. The episode critiques the claims made by OpenAI and Goldman Sachs regarding the general purpose capabilities of GPTs. It highlights the flaws in their methodologies and the lack of consideration for the impact on workers. Overall, the episode sheds light on the need for a more balanced and cautious approach to AI hype.
Unreliable AI translations and voice recordings cause frustration and errors
The episode highlights the issues with AI translations and voice recordings, using the example of Dualingo. It's revealed that AI-generated translations and voices in the Irish language course prove to be unreliable, with incorrect pronunciations and the creation of sounds that don't exist in any Irish dialect. This not only undermines the credibility of the language course, but also poses a threat to language revitalization efforts. The episode emphasizes the importance of human expertise in language learning and the potential damage that unreliable AI can cause.
Microsoft's attempt to mandate AI functionality on new keyboards receives criticism
The podcast episode discusses Microsoft's move to include a new key on keyboards to access AI functionality. This has sparked criticism, as users find this forced implementation unnecessary and are often unhappy with the AI features offered by Microsoft. The episode questions Microsoft's decision to prioritize AI and highlights the disconnect between the company's hype and the actual user experience. It calls attention to the lack of robust use cases and the negative impact of enforcing AI functionality on users.
Provost's mention of AI at University Town Hall disappoints faculty and staff
The episode addresses the disappointment expressed by faculty and staff at a university regarding the Provost's mention of AI during a Town Hall meeting. The Provost's focus on AI transformation in research, innovation, teaching, and impact leaves many feeling let down as they believe it detracts from the importance of human knowledge and expertise. The episode emphasizes the need to consider the limitations and potential risks of AI and the importance of maintaining a balanced approach at educational institutions.
Physics engineer encounters misinformed executives suggesting AI integration
The episode shares a story from a physics engineer about a frustrating meeting with non-technical executives who suggest adding AI to hydraulic systems in cars to make them run smoother. The engineer explains the limitations of AI and the irrelevance of adding it to the hardware side of hydraulic systems. The encounter highlights the misguided understanding of AI by non-technical individuals and the potential consequences of misinformed decisions in technological development.
Tumblr post highlights the absurdity of adding AI to a hydraulic system
The episode shares a Tumblr post about the absurdity of adding AI to a hydraulic system in cars. The post narrates a meeting where a physicist encounters non-scientific supervisors and executives who genuinely suggest integrating AI into hydraulic systems without understanding the limitations and relevance of AI in that context. The post showcases the lack of understanding and misinformed expectations around AI, leading to misguided proposals and decision-making.
Is ChatGPT really going to take your job? Emily and Alex unpack two hype-tastic papers that make implausible claims about the number of workforce tasks LLMs might make cheaper, faster or easier. And why bad methodology may still trick companies into trying to replace human workers with mathy-math.