Why ChatGPT can't write for you | David Savill | TEDxUniversityofSalford
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Published 2024-05-12
David Savill is a novelist and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at The University of Salford. He is the author of They Are Trying To Break Your Heart (Bloomsbury), winner of the French First Novel prize for the best English Language debut novel, and nominated for the Desmond Elliot prize. He is a former BBC Current Affairs producer and journalist who made investigative programmes for Panorama, This World, Real Story and Radio 4’s Crossing Continents. At the University of Salford, he founded the world’s first Creative Writing Multidiscipline degree, guiding students through courses in writing, media production and podcasting to become the future of creative industries. His current research explores what we can learn about politics and the health of democracy through storytelling.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
All Comments (21)
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Thank you so much. As a Brazilian son of an illiterate agricultural worker. I’m really touched by these words.
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ChatGPT is like salt. You use salt to improve the quality of food. Not eat like food :)
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The Brazilian teacher is right about the humanization of education. This content is valuable
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There seems to be an epidemic of misconstruing AI as an entity that can render humans pointless. Once you become AI-literate, it becomes apparent that this is not the case and much of the fear going around is unfounded. AI only mimics the human experience; even if it evolves as an independent, sentient entity, it can never have a human perspective. Because it is not human. I am reminded of the film The Bicentennial Man where android Robin Williams was recognized as human only after being granted the gift of mortality.
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I am writing a book. I use chat gpt to ask me questions to help me give it the content. I then use otter ai to transcribe my words to text as I answer the questions. I Often ramble and go back-and-forth. I just keep talking just keep on reflecting, and some of it makes sense, some of it doesn’t however, afterwards, when I put it back into ChatGPT it is able to arrange it in a coherent manner to where I now can create my story.
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there s really a high risk that our society will not develop as much as before with AI. Just because there is the risk that we donot develop our own solutions anymore which is the base of going new ways.
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It's just like having a good writer's assistant. I mean, I'm the one still taking the time to push the buttons and stuff.
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Who are we? What is our meaning? What is our purpose? yes. this is why I write every day
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7:48 this statement confuses product with process, destination with journey 8:19 to 8:37 But is the process too passive? As we get quick answers and make quick art, are we accessing the deep reflection and critical awareness that makes us feel a sense of our own agency, of who we are, of who we want to become? 👏🏾👏
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In a sea of AI Ted talks, loved the originality of this presentation.
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Thank you for this! Great reminder and beautiful explanation ✨
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I only use it to reword my thoughts so I don't sound like a moron when sending people messages
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Thanks
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intoxication of anything may be bad...but of Course GTP frames are good for day to day uses...books and greater works must be in original writing ❤
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Explained well
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As An ADHD, GPT Is The Only One That Can Cope And Organize The Flow Of Information Exploding From The Overthinking And My Hyperactive, Restless Brain.
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I love how ChatGPT helps me to organise my thoughts & chaotic ADHD brain ❤ Also, it can save a lot of time formatting a document.
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Beautiful
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That whole section about the importance of writing missunderstands how LLMs can be used as a soundboard for exactly that. Actually working with LLMs means you have to go into a back and forth refining your own ability to convey what you want as a result, if anything it improves the ability to express yourself in an environment with direct feedback.
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I avoid the word "never" because predictions for what tech can't do have a history of looking foolish and, with tech on an exponential curve, it's hard to say what might be possible within a year or two. The primary problem is unpredictable synergies. In any case, I'm not convinced that AI won't become useful for exploring philosophical questions of meaning. Logically, it can't think our thoughts for us so, in that sense, I agree with you. But it could (for better or worse) fairly soon begin to play a social/psychological role similar to that of a guru, life coach, therapist, friend, etc.. Oddly enough, AI doesn't need to BE conscious in order to help someone explore the nature of consciousness or the meaning of life, etc. (Just as a book or a podcast doesn't need to be conscious in order to provide similar help.) One way or another, AI is going to upset virtually every apple cart we can imagine, and it will probably do it sooner rather than later. Human survival will hang in the balance and that is a frightening and potentially disastrous prospect. But it does NOT NECESSARILY have to be disastrous. It could turn out to be the best thing that could ever happen. If we someday find ourselves exploring our own consciousness and existence as transhuman bio-tech beings, that won't necessarily mean that self-awareness and life are any less valuable they are now.
