This is coming from someone who has never used AI or ChatGPT before, but has heard quite a bit about them from peers, professors, and in social media. I've heard the pros and cons of using these programs such as assisting in the workplace, but at the same time replacing physical workers with a computer generated program. Not that I think AI can replace my job as a future attorney, but it does worry me a bit for the other thousands of jobs it can absolutely replace.
To not judge a book by its cover, and to try and see what the hype is all about myself, I thought I'd give ChatGPT a chance to help me figure out some other benefits of using it. I made an account on OpenAI (a simple free one I found). I simply asked it "what are the benefits of using ChatGPT" and in 2 seconds in gave me 7 different reasons ranging from efficiency, language understanding, learning, and training. It actually kind of freaked me out a bit how quickly it gave me a response, but I guess I can see how if you're looking for a quick answer, this can be beneficial.
I then wanted to see it explain simple legal concepts and how it would do that, so I asked it "what is hearsay" and yet again, in 2 seconds, I got a proper explanation of hearsay and it gave me examples that meet the definition of hearsay. I thought this was actually pretty cool, and can see myself maybe using this to study during finals and bar prep time for concepts I just need another explanation of.
So, is the hype around AI justified? Personally, I think in some situations it absolutely is. To give a helping hand in studying, finding new recipes, learning new skills, it is definitely worth the hype. I'm not going to say it is 100% worth it in all fields, as I am still a bit skeptical about it, but I think I can now understand the hype around it a bit more.
Virgina wrote: "but it does worry me a bit for the other thousands of jobs it can absolutely replace." It might be interesting if someone posted on whether AI replacing jobs is any different than the industrial revolution or other advances in automation replacing jobs that used to exist, such as milkmen, elevator operators, blacksmiths, etc.
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia,
ReplyDeleteInteresting question regarding AI and how it differs from the Industrial Revolution. In a way, it seems similar, but in my opinion it seems more dangerous in some areas. Until I took this class, I never used it for for anything. In fact, after that case in NY where the lawyer wrote a brief with AI generated ficticious case law, I was not going to even attempt to use it. I am still hesitant to embrace AI. Regarding whether it will replace jobs, that is yet to be seen. My biggest fear is when individuals use AI with poor intentions.
Hi Virginia,
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I find myself having AI "fatigue" because it is nearly everywhere. I've been working for in-house counsel at an IT distribution company, and AI has been the hot topic for nearly a year.
I think AI will continue to be useful for the future, but it will eventually stop being such a buzzword. We have been using AI for a long time already, but we are now coming up with new fancy ways of using it.
Ideally, the automation from AI should not be thought of as a job-replacer, but a efficiency boost. It should be a way to alleviate some of the tedious tasks that workers have. Necessarily, it then sounds like workers will be less bogged down with work, thus requiring fewer workers. Perhaps that is true, but there never seems to actually be a lack of work.
I think it is important to understand how AI functions and how to navigate some of the basic tools. However, the hype we see AI having will eventually quiet down a bit. It's still the shiny new toy.