I use ChatGPT daily for a range of purposes from helping me generate documents to learning how to troubleshoot complicated electro-mechanical systems. I don’t believe the “middle is gone” in any stretch of the imagination. The middle is alive and well, but I now have an at-my-disposal, like minded helper to navigate through the challenges of the middle and reach conclusions and produce results more quickly.
Also, I don’t believe AI is going to destroy humanity as we know it or the need for workers in the work force, taking today’s critics’ comments to an implied limit. No more than the invention of the tractor destroyed humanity or the need for workers to perform other vital tasks in our economy.
AI will transform lives and change how humanity works. And solve problems we previously couldn’t solve. And change the way science is performed, from a “study~> hypothesize~> test~> understand model” to a “generate solution~> study~> understand model”, shortening and expanding discovery in the world around us. There are other real dangers that could destroy us.
Thanks for your opinion Earl! I definitely respect it, and agree with much of what you are saying here, I think the important point that you made is it’s actually an individual choice to skip the “middle”, we can still learn through this process, but most people do not.
I do the same but for different purposes. But I need to ask you a question; do you think most people know how to use these tools well yet?
I dont think this is a turn for the worse either but I do think that we are losing something by focusing on the tech and speed of it and not the thinking before and after using it.
I'm Gen X and was taught to question everything in school. No matter how revered, how reputable we were taught to ask questions, be critical and then proceed. Fast forward a few decades and I was teaching freshman at an American university. First year writing. Writing was the task but critical thinking was really the heavy lift. Most, not all, students accepted the written word as true. On paper, in a book, and scariest-on a screen. The unit where I had to teach them how to ask questions to determine IF a website/page was reputable was disconcerting. These were teens who has been online for most of their life already. How was it that they were not taught this skill?
Fast forward to the AI surge and this same anemic skill is present not just in young people's experiences with LLM, Gen AI, etc but in those who didnt have the critical thinking emphasis that my public school did.
I feel like daily I am looking at intelligent, functional adults and with my glasses in skeptical teacher position explaining that AI is.... and isnt.... and cant.....
Its not just misinformation in the hype, its lack of questioning if this misinformation is real. True. Reliable.
What I am saying is that this isnt a new gap in functional knowledge, its a carry over from a time before when we stopped doing something very important; teaching criticial thinking. Its far from too late but man is it a big task.
Thank you so much Stephanie, I really appreciate your insight! I agree wth you generally that critical thinking has been slowly fading even before AI, though I do not think it is a lost cause, you stated it perfectly, it is quite a big task to recover.
I'm a pre-boomer and my observations on most of the Gen y and z is very close to yours. Much of the foundation work that we learned is no longer in the curriculum. Reading and writing skills have atrophied a great deal and I see nothing in the wind that will change this direction.
I have been saying this for years, especially when it comes to shortcuts etc… information that shouldn’t be there is hidden in the middle of shortcuts, automations, modes, routines… it’s kinda like driving all the way home from work and not remembering the drive home. When you work hand in hand with AI it gives you the ability to work at your own pace while trusting them to forge on ahead looking for any problems. Then you AND AI unravel the problem and advance together, no competition , it’s about having the same goal in mind.
Loved the takeaway, to slow down and take deliberate steps to understand the process. I learnt this the hard way, I used to chase efficiency, take AI at its word, which ultimately resulted in spending more time talking to AI than needed. I realized I stopped asking why.
After many nights spent re-prompting for better output, I realized most issues can be resolved by being more attentive to your input and questioning AI output. Like a conversation, but one where you are actively listening and contributing towards. This essentially was the middle before AI, understanding the problem, devising strategies and responding to market stimuli.
Thanks so much Ashwin! I think your point about being more attentive to your input is spot on, outputs are only as good as your input. So much to learn throughout the entire process!
This may be scarry! We are thinking along the same lines here. I published an article on my blog that covers much of the same concerns. You can see it here:
With healthcare being the next frontier for AI, we will only see a greater and perhaps frightening revelation of this theme. Because AI platforms know that's where the money is.
I use ChatGPT daily for a range of purposes from helping me generate documents to learning how to troubleshoot complicated electro-mechanical systems. I don’t believe the “middle is gone” in any stretch of the imagination. The middle is alive and well, but I now have an at-my-disposal, like minded helper to navigate through the challenges of the middle and reach conclusions and produce results more quickly.
Also, I don’t believe AI is going to destroy humanity as we know it or the need for workers in the work force, taking today’s critics’ comments to an implied limit. No more than the invention of the tractor destroyed humanity or the need for workers to perform other vital tasks in our economy.
AI will transform lives and change how humanity works. And solve problems we previously couldn’t solve. And change the way science is performed, from a “study~> hypothesize~> test~> understand model” to a “generate solution~> study~> understand model”, shortening and expanding discovery in the world around us. There are other real dangers that could destroy us.
Thanks for your opinion Earl! I definitely respect it, and agree with much of what you are saying here, I think the important point that you made is it’s actually an individual choice to skip the “middle”, we can still learn through this process, but most people do not.
I do the same but for different purposes. But I need to ask you a question; do you think most people know how to use these tools well yet?
I dont think this is a turn for the worse either but I do think that we are losing something by focusing on the tech and speed of it and not the thinking before and after using it.
I'm Gen X and was taught to question everything in school. No matter how revered, how reputable we were taught to ask questions, be critical and then proceed. Fast forward a few decades and I was teaching freshman at an American university. First year writing. Writing was the task but critical thinking was really the heavy lift. Most, not all, students accepted the written word as true. On paper, in a book, and scariest-on a screen. The unit where I had to teach them how to ask questions to determine IF a website/page was reputable was disconcerting. These were teens who has been online for most of their life already. How was it that they were not taught this skill?
Fast forward to the AI surge and this same anemic skill is present not just in young people's experiences with LLM, Gen AI, etc but in those who didnt have the critical thinking emphasis that my public school did.
I feel like daily I am looking at intelligent, functional adults and with my glasses in skeptical teacher position explaining that AI is.... and isnt.... and cant.....
Its not just misinformation in the hype, its lack of questioning if this misinformation is real. True. Reliable.
What I am saying is that this isnt a new gap in functional knowledge, its a carry over from a time before when we stopped doing something very important; teaching criticial thinking. Its far from too late but man is it a big task.
Great post, as always. Thanks.
Thank you so much Stephanie, I really appreciate your insight! I agree wth you generally that critical thinking has been slowly fading even before AI, though I do not think it is a lost cause, you stated it perfectly, it is quite a big task to recover.
Agree 100%
I'm a pre-boomer and my observations on most of the Gen y and z is very close to yours. Much of the foundation work that we learned is no longer in the curriculum. Reading and writing skills have atrophied a great deal and I see nothing in the wind that will change this direction.
What do we do now? I'm too optimistic to give up but trying to help from within Education was a lesson in insanity for me. What else?
“It’s where ideas became clear.
Where skills were built.
Where understanding formed”
love how you phrase a lot of these points
man. great read.
Thanks so much as always Chris!! To be honest this was one of those ideas that I didn’t think would resonate as much, clearly I was wrong lol
yeah funny how sometimes people pick up on various themes haha🔥
I have been saying this for years, especially when it comes to shortcuts etc… information that shouldn’t be there is hidden in the middle of shortcuts, automations, modes, routines… it’s kinda like driving all the way home from work and not remembering the drive home. When you work hand in hand with AI it gives you the ability to work at your own pace while trusting them to forge on ahead looking for any problems. Then you AND AI unravel the problem and advance together, no competition , it’s about having the same goal in mind.
Thanks so much Caitlin! This is very well stated, and your comparison to driving home from work and not remembering the drive home is spot on! 🙏
Loved the takeaway, to slow down and take deliberate steps to understand the process. I learnt this the hard way, I used to chase efficiency, take AI at its word, which ultimately resulted in spending more time talking to AI than needed. I realized I stopped asking why.
After many nights spent re-prompting for better output, I realized most issues can be resolved by being more attentive to your input and questioning AI output. Like a conversation, but one where you are actively listening and contributing towards. This essentially was the middle before AI, understanding the problem, devising strategies and responding to market stimuli.
Thanks so much Ashwin! I think your point about being more attentive to your input is spot on, outputs are only as good as your input. So much to learn throughout the entire process!
This may be scarry! We are thinking along the same lines here. I published an article on my blog that covers much of the same concerns. You can see it here:
https://yogiwan.us/when-the-bottom-rung-disappears/
Just a slightly different take but the same conclusion - AI can remove processes that are the foundation of knowledge and eventually wisdom.
Thanks so much for sharing Terril, I will check this out!
That title alone is worth sitting with. Sometimes something feeling off is the signal we need.
Thanks so much Aniket!
With healthcare being the next frontier for AI, we will only see a greater and perhaps frightening revelation of this theme. Because AI platforms know that's where the money is.
Thanks Richard! I think healthcare is completely broken here in the states, they basically have a money printer.