AI. I’ve lived for over a half century in ranch country, much of that time in places where cattle outnumber humans. When I see the initialism* AI, I immediately think, “Artificial Insemination.”
Today, I giggle at my automatic response. Artificial Intelligence seems to be everywhere, now.
The technology spooked me, initially, and I vowed not to use (or even try) it. I perused articles describing myriad ways AI threatens modern civilization—predictions that this innovation will replace millions of human jobs; how it will plagiarize or supersede the creative works of authors, musicians, and artists; and even that it will render humankind obsolete. These arguments fall into two categories: ethics and threats.
Let’s start with ethics. At the most basic level, AI is simply a tool, a device used to perform a task. Any tool, even a hammer, can be used for good or for evil. Laws are on the books to address the misuse of tools. Nobody will arrest me if I use a hammer to pound a nail, even if I say a naughty word when I slip and hit my thumb. It’s a different story, though, if I use that hammer to break my neighbor’s window or, worse, hit someone with it. On a more abstract level, I’d likely get in trouble if I claimed that I invented an already-patented specialty hammer.
Laws that control how tools are used exist for good reason. But there is a timing challenge. The development of any tool precedes the enactment of laws regulating its use. I have recently seen a number of news articles that describe how governments are currently wrestling with this topic.
That’s where the ethics part comes in. Even though much unethical behavior is not currently prohibited by law, I consider it my responsibility to monitor my own behavior and do the right thing. I’m willing to risk being called “lame” for doing that.
Now, about threats. Cultures have struggled since the dawn of civilization to adapt to new tools. People often first perceive these developments as threatening, and then—over time—learn to use them efficiently. Examples abound.
During the nineteenth century, the introduction of the telegraph hastened the demise of the Pony Express. That change had both positive and negative consequences. Telegraph lines dramatically speeded up communication, but the Pony Express riders lost their jobs when the enterprise declared bankruptcy. The riders moved on to find new work. The company’s founders faced legal and financial trepidations, but the successors who acquired its assets went on to create a vast stagecoach line, which eventually became Wells Fargo.
My initial dismay over the advent of AI gradually turned into curiosity, as reports surfaced about its use to streamline mundane tasks. Friends shared with me ways they use AI to schedule activities, produce non-creative textual announcements, and turn a news release into a Facebook post, complete with graphics.
I realized that I already use AI—in a form that’s been around for a long time—spelling and grammar checkers that come with the packaged software I use. None of these require me to blindly accept their recommendations. In fact, they frequently err. But they do make my life easier by catching my typos and suggesting rewording that may (or may not) improve my text. I can accept or reject the suggestions as I see fit. I guess it’s not so scary, after all.
Will AI displace millions of workers? Perhaps. But it may also free people from dull, thankless tasks and allow them to pursue more satisfying endeavors. I don’t mean to imply that Pony Express riders led tedious lives. However, the company’s most famous displaced employee, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, used his legendary reputation as a rider to popularize his Wild West Show, which earned him several million dollars.
My husband provides a case in point. Barry has been working for months to restore an old pickup truck. One day, hot and humid weather drove him indoors to look at internet photos of similar projects. He began experimenting with AI and, to his delight, it helped him design the exact image he’d been seeking. Now, instead of spending hours on trial and error, he’s found a look he likes and can create in real life. He told me it stimulates his creative juices.
Human creativity is boundless. There is no reason we can’t use AI, not to replace us, but to change the focus and increase the effectiveness of our work. I think we can, if we do it right.
I have no desire to replace my own creativity with AI. The words in this blog, and everything I write, are mine alone, unless otherwise attributed. However, I have zero artistic talent, so I used AI to create the image for this blog. It was fun.
Why not use AI to complete tasks I despise or cannot do well? Surely AI will do them without complaint, which grants me more time to pursue the activities I love. I wonder if I could use Artificial Intelligence to help me brainstorm fresh ideas. If so, would that be in keeping with the rancher’s definition of AI?
*AI is technically an initialism, not an acronym, because it is not pronounced as a word.
Image generated by Microsoft Copilot
#AI #ranchlife #tools #boundless #creativity
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