The Debate Over ChatGPT; The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already played a major role in the development of consumer technology. As the technology advances, so to will the personal devices and gadgets that we use every day.
Major tech companies are investing heavily to develop AI models that can be used to automate tasks and aid in decision making. One of the first companies to come out with an AI chatbot is ChatGBT, a research-based artificial intelligence company that has been at the forefront of the AI debate in recent years.

Big Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Baidu have all recently made announcements about their chatbots. Apple on the hand has remained silent on the topic. In February, Microsoft announced the release on its chatbot attach to Bing and Google announced its’ AI chatbot, Bard, while Baidu announced that it will release their chatbot, Ernie in March.

As the title of this article suggests, we will discuss the good and potential bad of the rapid advancements in AI and pose questions as to what the future holds.

The Good

One of the positive impacts of AI on our tech devices and gadgets is the AI-powered virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. With the induction of AI, these systems can learn a user’s preferences and habits and provide personalized recommendations based on that data.
AI can also be used for predictive maintenance, allowing users to proactively address issues before they become major problems, which can help extend the lifespan of devices and reduce the need for costly repairs.

Some of the largest companies have developed platforms to collect data from sensors on machines and use machine learning algorithms to predict when maintenance is needed. For example General Electric has their Predix platform, IBM has Maximo Asset Management, Siemens has Mindsphere, and Honeywell has Connected Plant Asset Performance.

Additionally, AI can improve the security of consumer technology devices by analyzing patterns of use and detecting anomalies that may indicate a security breach or hack.

Automation is another way AI can be used to make devices more efficient and easier to use, automating tasks like setting reminders, scheduling appointments, and adjusting settings based on user preferences.

AI can also enhance the capabilities of augmented reality (AR) technology by providing more accurate and realistic virtual images, improving the shopping experience and increasing sales.

Perhaps most important to many, AI can be used to monitor the health of individuals through wearable devices, such as fitness trackers or smartwatches, leading to better health outcomes. Our tech gadgets like Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin use AI algorithms to track activity, monitor heart rate, sleep quality, calories burned, and other wellness metrics.

The Bad

While AI has the potential to revolutionize the tech gadget industry, there are potential negative impacts that need to be addressed.

A major concern is the potential for biases to be built into AI models, leading to unfair or discriminatory decisions. Policy makers are already looking into how companies implement data into their AI systems.

Privacy is also a concern, as AI-powered devices and systems collect and store vast amounts of personal data. Finally, there is a concern about the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes, such as cyberattacks or the development of autonomous weapons.

The concerns have grown as we have seen new AI applications that can have serious affects on the finances and personal lives of people such as KeeperTax, which fine-tunes AI models to evaluate tax statements and tax-deductible expenses, or DoNotPay, a company claiming to offer automated legal advice based on AI models.
One of the most significant concerns is the potential loss of jobs, as automation and AI become more prevalent in the workplace. Recent studies and reports have investigated the potential impact of AI on employment and the labor market. While some researchers have warned of job displacement and unemployment, others have argued that AI will create new job opportunities and enhance human productivity.

One such study conducted by McKinsey Global Institute estimated that automation and AI could displace up to 800 million jobs by 2030, but also predicted that new job opportunities could emerge as a result of increased productivity and economic growth [1].

The World Economic Forum predicted in a 2020 report that AI could create 97 million new jobs by 2025, but could also displace 85 million jobs. The report identified administrative and white-collar roles as the jobs most at risk of automation, while jobs in areas such as healthcare, education, and social services were expected to grow [2].

A 2020 working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggested that while AI and automation could lead to job displacement in the short term, the long-term impact on employment was uncertain. The paper argued that the impact of AI on employment would depend on various factors, including the rate of technological progress and the availability of complementary human skills [3].

The Ugly

Recent news headlines suggest that AI is not quite ready to replace journalists and writers. The tech site CNET went through extensive layoffs which some attributed to the use of AI for writing articles. The company acknowledged the use of AI but denies the layoffs were attributed to this.

The bigger news that came from this story was the apparent poor performance of their AI writers. CNET acknowledged some issues with the AI article and the site Futurism fact checked many of the AI articles and founded numerous errors which they called “boneheaded”.

There was similar news recently relating specifically to chatbots. Early testers of Microsoft’s new AI chatbot complained of receiving numerous “unhinged” messages. Associated Press technology reporter Matt O’Brien was testing out Microsoft’s new Bing last month, the first-ever search engine powered by artificial intelligence, when it became hostile, saying O’Brien was ugly, short, overweight, unathletic, among a long litany of other insults including comparing him to Hitler, Pol Pot and Stalin.

References

1. McKinsey Global Institute. (2017). Jobs lost, jobs gained: What the future of work will mean for jobs, skills, and wages. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/jobs-lost-jobs-gained-what-the-future-of-work-will-mean-for-jobs-skills-and-wages
2. World Economic Forum. (2020). The future of jobs report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020
3. Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2020). Robots and jobs: Evidence from US labor markets. National Bureau of Economic Research. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w26677/w26677.pdf

There is no doubt that many of us believe our main source of happiness lies in money, beauty, and status. But in reality, these things only define our experiences and circumstances, and alone will not create the sense of well-being we associate with happiness.

You see, happiness is not an experience or circumstance, it is a state of mind emersed with peace and joy, which is free of fear and full of love that we feel for ourselves and others.

That’s worth repeating – happiness is a state of mind emersed with peace and joy which is free of fear and full of love that we feel for ourselves and others.

We can only achieve this by first realizing that circumstances, such as the amount of money in your bank account cannot create happiness. Without this realization, you will be left with unfulfilled desires that you feel must be fulfilled in order to achieve happiness. Even if some of these desires get fulfilled, you will be left in the same place that you were before the desire arose. And not all desires can be fulfilled. Some get fulfilled, some don’t.

Many of us know the millionaire who never offers to buy a cup of coffee. Sadly, this is evidence that the desire for more and the fear of not having enough, still remains front and center on his or her mind. And we shouldn’t envy this person, or envy any person, that can’t achieve the level of peace you can easily achieve by simply limiting your worldly desires and understanding they are not the path to happiness.

Of course, we are all wired to want a little more and improve our place in life. Working toward accomplishments will no doubt bring future rewards and having something to look forward is important to our happiness. But keeping our desires in check and focusing on people, friends, and family is a more prudent path toward peace. The more you focus on serving others and less about fulfilling worldly desires like money and status, the happier you will be.

Here are a few recommended fun gadgets to help you stay close to your loved ones and a few books to work on your happiness:

Friendship Lamps by LuvLink – Modern Long Distance Lamp. There’s a reason why these gadget lamps have gone viral. Let a loved one know your’re thinking about them at any momet. $149.99 on Amazon

Bond Touch – Pair of Long Distance Connection Bracelets. Keeps you connected with your loved ones with this cool gadget that mimicks the natural vibration of touch. $138.00 on Amazon

Bose Sleepbuds II $249

Get a better night’s sleep with Bose Sleepbuds II. These tiny, comfortable earbuds use clinically proven noise-masking technology to cover unwanted nighttime disturbances that may otherwise wake you up. With the Bose Sleep app, you can access the curated Sound Library and its calming relaxation content including tranquil tonal environments and sounds from nature and beyond. Plus, set an alarm only you’ll hear and program your settings ahead of time with Phone-free Mode. Get ready to fall asleep faster.

Renpho Eye Massager with Heat, Compression, Remote Control and Bluetooth $75.99

With the high-tech motor, trigger point massage, Renpho eye massager replicate the human massage effect of squeezing and kneading, helping to refresh your eyes. You can choose between 2 adjustable compression intensity settings to be totally relaxed and enjoy a better sweet dream. The built-in heating pads provide a comfortable temperature 104℉-107℉ (40℃-42℃ ), better for relieving eye strain, eye puffiness, dry eyes, etc. This eye relax machine can effectively help you refreshed after long-day work or study.

Hatch Restore $129.99

Get a good night’s sleep with Hatch Restore. This smart sleep system helps you create a personalized sleep-wake routine to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed. Enjoy natural light that simulates the sunrise to gently wake up and support healthy cortisol levels. Create the perfect mood any time with a library of soothing sounds, white noise, lights and more at your fingertips. Unwind with a soft glow reading light without the harsh blue hues and enjoy content to help you wind down and wake up gently.

Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate and Fitness Tracker $163.90

Get a better night’s sleep with Fitbit Inspire HR. This Heart Rate and Fitness Tracker is less obtrusive and offers longer battery life than a smartwatch, making it the perfect choice for sleep tracking. With its detailed insights into how long you’re spending in each stage of sleep, you can get a Sleep Score each morning without the premium membership. Upgrade to the $10-per-month membership and get an even more detailed breakdown of your score.

Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp $47.49

Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp – Using This incredible lamp during the day promotes healthy sleep at night. UV-Free LED Light Sun Lamp with 10,000 Lux for Sleep Aid, Brain Booster, and Stress Relief. This therapy light provides the recommended 10,000 LUX of brightness to help the winter blues, regulate sleep, improve focus, boost energy and make us feel less sad. The light therapy lamp is designed to mimic the colors of daylight Our products bring balance to indoor life, backed by science that shows the human sleep cycle is disrupted by environmental factors such as dim lighting and bright screens. Using This incredible lamp during the day promotes healthy sleep at night.

MUSE 2: The Brain Sensing Headband $249.99

Meditation made easy ! Stop guessing if you’re doing it right. You can use real-time feedback to guide you and keep you motivatedMuse is your personal meditation assistant: Muse makes meditation easy by giving you real-time feedback to help you recognize calm. Find calm & Stay focused: research has shown that meditation helps people sleep better, stress less, and focus more.Dig deeper & get personal: choose what works for you – Muse will track your brain activity, heart rate, breathing, and body movements to guide your total meditation experience.

Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Wireless 3D Eye Mask By Lightimetunnel $23.99

The Sleep Headphones Mask By Lightimetunnel adoptes 3D ERGONOMIC TECHNOLOGY for eyes area and blocks out 100% of light to create absolute dark zone. You can listen to music without wearing additional headphones. You get bluetooth stereo sound with smooth transmission. Built-in adjustable high quality speaker and microphone for handfree and clear call. Sleeping mask is ultra soft and washable.

Tibetan Singing Bowl Set by Ohm Store $27.97

Ohm Store’s Tibetan Singing Bowl Set is a beautiful and unique way to explore meditation, sound healing, yoga and more. This high-quality handcrafted set includes a wooden striker and hand sewn cushion, all crafted in the Himalayan Foothills by Nepalese artisans. Perfect for use in spiritual healing, creative thinking and intuitive messages, these mesmerizing tones promote a relaxed state that allows you to reach deeper levels of meditation. Experience holistic healing with Ohm Store.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses $24.97

Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Men/Women Anti-Fatigue Computer Monitor Gaming Glasses Prevent Headaches Gamer GlassesProtect your eyes and minimise the negative impact of blue light with Blue Cut Blue Light Blocking Glasses! These stylish glasses offer both men and women protection from the damaging effects of blue light, while providing a fashionable look for gaming or computer use. With FDA-registered lenses, you can enjoy the convenience of digital devices without worrying about headaches or blurred vision. Get the best of both worlds with Blue Cut Blue Light Blocking Glasses!

Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine $34.99

White Noise Machine with Night Light for Sleeping. This machine provides High Fidelity Sounds, Timer & Memory Feature This solid sound machine creates a relaxing and sleepy atmosphere by offering exquisite listening experience. Dreamegg white noise machine has 7 white noise sounds, 7 fan sounds, 10 relaxing natural sounds (Bird, Sea Wave, Brook , Little Star, Lullaby, Music Box, Thunderstorm, Rain, Cricket, Fetal Tone). Select the perfect channel and get ready for your personalized sleep therapy!

What is the secret to Happiness? On the website, we would like to think it involves buying the latest gadgets online. But it’s a bit more complicated than that.

We all know that it is important to foster close relationships in our lives. But just how important is it? Does our happiness and health depend on it?

In 1938, scientists began tracking the health of 268 Harvard sophomores with the hope that they could learn the secrets to a happy and healthy life.

The scientists eventually expanded their research to include the offspring of the men, who are now in their 60s. They were looking to see if early-life experiences affect health and aging over time. Some participants went on to become successful businessmen, doctors, lawyers, and others ended up as schizophrenics or alcoholics.

During the intervening decades, the control groups expanded. In the 1970s, 456 Boston inner-city residents were enlisted as part of the Study, and 40 of them are still alive. More than a decade ago, researchers began including their wives.

The study unequivocally revealed that happiness is directly linked to the number and quality of close relationships in the lives of people. Yes, close relationships were determined to be the number one factor; more important to happiness than money, fame, or material items. In fact, the Study found that close relationships will help to delay mental and physical decline and are better predictors of a long and happy life than social class, IQ, or even genes.

Even more surprising, enjoyable close relationships have a powerful influence on our health. The director of the Study, Robert Waldinger, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, stated “taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.” Waldinger further stated in his incredibly popular TED Talk, that “people who were the most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80.”

Others involved in the Study have written about the new revelations. In a book called “Aging Well”, the author George Vaillant, who played an important role in the Study, wrote that six factors predicted healthy aging for the Harvard men: physical activity, absence of alcohol abuse and smoking, having mature mechanisms to cope with life’s ups and downs, and enjoying both a healthy weight and a stable marriage [1].

It is gratifying to learn that a well planned, long term study has reached an unequivocal conclusion about what makes us happy. Even more gratifying to me is that the key to happiness does not involve money or status.

To help you reach your highest level of happiness, we have some cool gadgets that will help you stay close to your loved ones. As always, you can get these gadgets online for your convenience.

Source: “George E. Vaillant, Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study”. Society. 51 (2): 184. doi:10.1007/s12115-014-9760-7. ISSN 0147-2011

[1] Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development Paperback – Illustrated, January 8, 2003, by George E. Vaillant

Friendship Lamps by LuvLink – Modern Long Distance Lamp. There’s a reason why these gadget lamps have gone viral. Let a loved one know your’re thinking about them at any momet. $149.99 on Amazon

Bond Touch – Pair of Long Distance Connection Bracelets. Keeps you connected with your loved ones with this cool gadget that mimicks the natural vibration of touch. $138.00 on Amazon

Lovebox Color & Photo – Love Note Messenger. A connected, messaging gadget that pairs with an app to deliver special expressions of affection. $139.99 on Amazon