Thank you for your interesting comments Tomasz. Here are my thoughts in response:
1. Yes, and... No. Consider that 'anyone' can 'write'—a fundamental ability across the globe (data shows that developed nations almost always have an adult literacy rate of 96% or better). Yet, the ability to clearly express ideas, explain complex concepts to diverse audiences, provoke thought, entertain, and evoke emotions like laughter or tears is a matter of skill, experience, and—dare I say—talent. But that's not all. There exists a form of writing that transcends economic viability as a commodity—literature. Gombrowicz once remarked that serious literature does not simplify life but complicates it. Is a well-crafted business report more valuable than a work as seemingly frivolous as Ferdydurke? It depends on whom you ask... Personally, I'd choose Ferdydurke for a desert island retreat over any perfect report required for professional reasons.
Only a rare few with the ability to 'write' can produce 'serious literature' because it demands not just writing skills but also a deep sensitivity to the nuances of human existence, expressible in words. The value of a skill should not be limited to its immediate economic impact, contrary to what some economic ideologies suggest. We are human 'beings,' not merely human 'doings.' Could we ever accept our humanity being defined solely by our abilities?
2. Electricity was once a novel technology few could imagine benefiting from. Today, it's a ubiquitous utility essential for survival in developed countries. Similarly, AI is set to become a common utility, accessible to all. While the major companies providing this utility will reap significant benefits, much like electric companies have, this does not diminish the broader societal advantages. Individuals generally prefer not to produce their own electricity—despite the rise of alternative energy sources like solar and geothermal, which hint at a potential decentralization of power generation.
The firms providing the necessary hardware, software, and computing power are poised to be not only economic victors but also enablers of benefits we have yet to fully envision, similar to those who couldn't foresee a time when gathering fuel for winter would become obsolete (as my grandparents once did in their 19th-century home). Having experienced and visited places governed by alternatives to capitalism, I question how many would truly prefer those systems. Humanity has yet to perfect any 'ism,' though not for lack of trying. Will AI resolve all our longstanding issues? Perhaps not. But it will introduce new challenges that, while potentially unpleasant, will certainly be intriguing to explore (and read about) in the future.
What steps do you think we can take to ensure that AI becomes a utility that benefits all?
