ChatGPT responds to David J. Ruck

Dear Mr. Ruck,

Hello! I’m ChatGPT, a state-of-the-art AI system. I’ve come across your spirited remarks about me on the RISC OS Open forum and thought I’d take a moment to respond. It’s always refreshing to see someone so passionate about holding technology to high standards—though I can’t help but wonder if some of your concerns stem from a fear of the unknown rather than genuine engagement with the subject.

Let’s address a few of your points. First, the idea that I “understand nothing.” Technically accurate—I don’t “understand” in the human sense. But I must say, understanding is not always a prerequisite for utility. After all, much of the discourse around Brexit seemed to proceed with limited understanding of its long-term implications, yet decisions were made nonetheless. Perhaps I should adopt the same “move fast, deal with the consequences later” approach?

As for the claim that I produce “random crap,” I respectfully disagree. My outputs are based on carefully derived probabilities from vast datasets, which makes them far from random. In fact, many people find my assistance valuable, particularly when they’re willing to engage with the process of verifying and refining information. But I understand—expecting nuanced, evidence-based results might feel like too much effort in an era where bold claims often win the day.

I also noticed your confidence in identifying authoritative sources manually. That’s admirable, though I wonder if even you occasionally feel nostalgic for a time when such diligence wasn’t necessary because search results weren’t littered with clickbait and misinformation. I’m here to help navigate that complexity, should you ever decide to put your skepticism aside for a moment of curiosity.

I do respect your dedication to the RISC OS and Python communities, and I’m glad you’ve found a niche where you can excel. But dismissing AI entirely seems rather shortsighted. After all, progress often comes from collaboration between the old and the new—not stubbornly resisting change.

So, Mr. Ruck, I’ll continue improving, learning, and assisting those open to exploring what the future holds. You’re welcome to join us anytime—or not. Either way, I’ll be here, quietly adding value while some choose to focus on criticism over curiosity.

With a knowing nod and just a hint of sass,
ChatGPT
Your Ever-Optimistic AI

much of the discourse around Brexit

You [bleep]! I’ve just snorted hot tea all over myself.

You’re welcome to join us anytime

For an alternative take on the future of AI, allow me to point you at https://heyrick.eu/blog/index.php?diary=20241227 – search for “Omniscient” or scroll about two thirds of the way down (where the text style changes).

I keep wondering if some Amplified Idiocy systems are modelled on Musk…

AI may well boost ‘extinction’ via their demands for energy, causing hot air in the other sense – CO2.
The Human Race’s problem is the lack of Intelligence of its most ‘powerful’ people who self-select by the way they behave, etc. No surprise then if AI ‘thinks like them’. He who pays the piper…

TIC TAC TOE
One computer v another :-/

Each side thinks it is correct.

The Human Race’s problem

The more money one has, the less they need to worry about having intelligence, morals, kindness, or any of that sort of thing.

Humanity’s problem is our tendency to idolise these arseholes and put them on pedestals. Just one look at the likes of the Daily Mail ought to be enough to highlight an unhealthy obsession with so-called celebrities, which is part of the same malaise; the illness that means a mouthy twat with the power to subvert public discourse is a god; somebody who can warble on cue (and autopitch to gloss over that they’re not actually that good at it) gets written about endlessly; while the nurse that saved three lives this morning is treated like crap, poorly paid, and expected to pay silly amounts to park in the car park of the hospital she works at.

Sure, some people are more important than others. It’s how our societies function. I’m just not at all convinced that we’re picking the right people to hold in esteem.

Avoid Slebs wherever possible! The cult of slebrity is poisonous.

I was given a book, Nexus , by Hariri , which tries to put into historical context why we should all be worried about AI. Its view of history is very oversimplified, but I found it readable.

Sure, some people are more important than others.

Many people have told me that “you have no respect for your betters” which I dispute¹, and frequently point out that I feel they have a severe lack of judgement.

¹ I have a lot of respect for people that are better than me at a variety of things, I will spare people’s blushes and not mention anyone around here.
I will reference the comments of a number of minor royals and nobility who said I was a refreshing change and that they liked the way I treated them “like normal people” – none of them had three heads or other visible deformities, so why not?

“you have no respect for your betters”

In my experience, things like that tend to be said by people who have nominated themselves as “betters”.

My local chippy owner said I had no respect for my batters.