【专栏】| Conlumists

For Sale

By Chen Ya, Jointing.Media, in Wuhan, 2023-02-24

Schwetzingen 2022

SQM, Jointing.Media

Recently, the online publication “Clarkesworld,” established in 2006, has announced the suspension of submissions without a clear timeline for resuming. The reason behind this decision is straightforward: many authors are employing AI technology to generate their literary works and then submitting them under their own names. This well-renowned magazine, which has been awarded the Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine thrice, has received over 500 unsatisfactory submissions in the last twenty days, accounting for about 38% of the total. Majority of these submissions have AI patterns and form distinct clusters. This has increased the editors’ workload significantly and disrupted the magazine’s regular operation.

The emergence of AI in generating articles, books, and even artwork challenges the assumption that AI cannot replicate human creativity. The rate at which this singularity is approaching seems to be faster than anticipated. In the near future, AI will undoubtedly displace certain jobs, resulting in a “crowding out effect” on particular industries. However, in the longer run, the disappearance of some tasks may coincide with the creation of novel positions.

At present, AI’s creative output is heavily reliant on databases derived from human history. However, when homogeneous works are manufactured on an industrial scale and treated as commodities, their value diminishes proportionally as the quantity increases. It is akin to the difference in worth between an original master’s painting and a photocopy or printed replica. Creativity stems from thought, and if creators intend to keep pace with industrial assembly lines, they must chart a new course. Original thinking is a personalized aspect of human nature that contrasts with batch-made AI products that cannot be quantified or replicated through data analytics at the moment.

Human beings typically acquire new skills by imitating, internalizing, and then mastering them through regular training. Conversely, AI “learns” skills through extensive data-driven training and eventually begins to replace the repetitive tasks performed by certain professionals or researchers. Only a select few individuals manage to break free from convention, innovate, and develop original skills after mastering the ones passed down to them by their predecessors – something that AI is yet to accomplish. Moving towards the age of collective intelligence, however, it is necessary to make significant advances in the field of neuroscience to unlock groundbreaking research findings in AI.

Machines appear to be “smarter” than humans due to their faster computational speed, which is in turn supported by the artificial hardware, software, and integrated systems behind them – at least for now, these systems are “artificial” and therefore theoretically subject to physical limitations. However, if brain-computer interface technology were to become more advanced, humans and AI may eventually operate on the same level of computing power, yielding an uncertain outcome.

Many literary works explore the possibility of AI evolving into a superior species to that of humans. Regarding this, the author chooses to maintain an open mindset. As AI continues to evolve, and if the human brain fails to keep pace, the science fiction narratives of this theme could ultimately become real. The law of the jungle, “survival of the fittest,” is a harsh reality.

Machines currently outperform humans in terms of physical ability, while the cognitive ability of AI remains a topic of scientific debate. However, it remains uncertain whether children will face real threats from AI. Although problem-solving skills can help children obtain access to higher education and prestigious schools, it is unclear if they can avoid being replaced by AI in the workplace. Hence, it is essential for parents to plan ahead for the future.

“Parents’ love for their children prompts them to plan for their long-term future.” In addition to the commonly mentioned cultivation of psychological resilience in the face of setbacks, the learning ability to adapt to changes, and the formation of positive habits for life and studies, how can parents guide their children towards a more creative and innovative lifestyle?

As Mr. Tao Xingzhi once put it, “Life is education.” By starting with daily life, children can cultivate the habit of finding multiple solutions to practical problems, and develop the ability to explore and learn new knowledge around those issues. However, all of this depends on high-quality companionship from parents. During the preschool and primary school years, parents can spend more time helping and supporting their children in discovering their true interests. Moreover, parents can inspire their children by continuing to learn and working hard towards their own interests, becoming a role model for their offspring. These practices are key components of family education.

Nurturing creativity in education calls for more than just time; a conducive space is also necessary. It is essential to create an educational environment that promotes innovation and sparks children’s imaginations both at home and at school, requiring a collaborative effort between parents and educators. Unfortunately, as soon as children enter junior high school, most of them are subject to immense pressure regarding high school entrance exams. Can excessive competition be averted? When parents and educators struggle to reach a consensus on educational values, parents must carefully weigh and make informed choices. Achieving a balance between these sometimes conflicting interests is critical.

Thinking, knowledge, and ability constitute the three integral components of creative education. According to psychology, creativity encompasses the ability to comprehend the essence and internal relationships of objective phenomena, and also to generate original and socially meaningful insights based on this understanding. Creative thinking represents a critical mode of thinking.

As stated in the book “Lifelong Kindergarten,” creativity is inherent in every person, and education must strive to help them unleash their full creative potential to adapt to an ever-evolving world. Only through creativity can children better face an uncertain future.

Author’s bio: Chen Ya, a person living in another world.

中文原文

Translated by ChatGPTm

Edited by ChatGPT Next

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