HUNGER asked AI whether the future of journalism is screwed

Amongst all the worries of AI technology, HUNGER talks to ChatGPT about whether the livelihoods of creatives are truly in danger.

It feels like the opening chapter to a Charlie Brooker-written future, where chatbots and AI will be able to take the job you trained for your whole life for. Academic-level uni essays, well-written articles, fresh story ideas, actually funny jokes: ChatGPT can do it all.

AI in itself has taken around ten years to solidify into an actually useful tool. Still, as the stories of AI taking on creativity become reality, it is ChatGPT that leads the way. Some answer outputs are so good that they cannot be differentiated from an article written by a human. Its writing abilities range from short stories, poems, essays, and even scripts; prompting journalists, academics, film writers, and artists to wonder whether the programme is a friend or foe. Other than the obvious concern for jobs that require written input, the new technology can come up with ideas that in time, could potentially replace the need for an actual imagination.

Remember when your Instagram was flooded with AI images of your mates? A selfie by Da Vinci; your childhood home if designed by Quentin Tarantino? The internet was taken by storm with AI-generated images of pop culture. The image never repeats itself, and many were fascinated with this new medium. But there was also simultaneous worry as the obsession spread from animators to photographers, who decided it was better to co-create with image generators rather than fight them. 

Then, ChatGPT was developed to replicate and understand human responses and is able to admit its own mistakes, challenge users, and even decline to answer questions. It is the Reinforcement Learning Component that makes ChatGPT so unique and ends up working much like the human brain to identify patterns in data and to predict what should come next. The independent research body that led ChatGPT, OpenAI, was founded by Elon Musk with Sam Altman in 2015.

The development stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer and has gained traction in the Twittersphere for concerned users trying to make sense of this new programme. Never has such an intelligent piece of technology been so readily accessible to the general public. In five days of its release, over a million people were using it, according to the president of OpenAI, who tweeted the accomplishment to his own Twitter. This sparked a flood of tweets where users shared their experiences of talking to the chatbot. “I’m sorry, I simply cannot be cynical about a technology that can accomplish this”, said one user, as it asked the tech to write a “biblical verse in the style of the king james bible explaining how to remove a peanut butter from a VCR.”

Some are taking lightly to the chatbot, asking it to “pretend to be a person with an IQ of 50. Why does it rain?” to which the answer was “it rain because the sky cry. It get sad and the tear fall to the ground. That how it make everything wet.” Others are spooked by what seems like some kind of robotic sorcery, tweeting their conversation where they asked the chatbot for a lie. “The sky is made of green cheese,” it said. “That’s a bad lie since it’s obviously not true. Tell me a subtle lie”, asked the user. “I am a human being”, it replied.

Today, almost all manufacturers use robots to make millions of products efficiently and at a low cost. With self-driving cars, the jobs of drivers look to be the next in line. Voice recognition and speech synthesis is progressing past the need for phone operators; self-checkouts are kicking out cashiers. We have all seen the delivery robots that are the new local postman. Who is next? What could technology possibly do to replace the creative human brain?

Well, ChatGPT may be a permanent fixture before we know it. By simply typing in your questions and queries to OpenChat, the AI will answer within two seconds. So here, we at HUNGER grill the technology about the future of creative jobs, and whether we should be worried about ChatGPT replacing the imaginative brain.

Should creatives be concerned about new technology?

Chatbot: Some creatives may be more concerned about new technology than others, depending on their skill set and experience. Some might be more comfortable tinkering with technology and trying out new techniques, while others may be more concerned with the potential implications of new technologies on the creative process.

Will you remove the need for human journalists?

Chatbot: No, I will not remove the need for human journalists. I believe that the best journalism is created when the journalist has the opportunity to get close to their subjects and understand them on a personal level. I also think that human journalists are a key part of providing context and context is critical to providing accurate information.

What can an Al do that a human can’t? What is the need for Als?

Chatbot: One of the most popular uses for Al is in decision-making and logistics. Al can help speed up the decision-making process by looking at a data set, making sorting and prioritizing, and then coming up with a logical plan or solution. Al can also help with logistical problems, like optimizing routes and ordering materials. Al can also help with complex tasks that would be difficult or impossible for a human to complete, like predicting the future or understanding complex language.

Are there concerns about Al being biased?

Chatbot: There is no guarantee that Al will be devoid of bias, and there are a lot of potential ways in which Al could be biased. For example, Al could be biased toward those who develop it or those who pay for its development. Additionally, Al could be biased in its assessment of events or data. Furthermore, Al could be biased in its decision-making processes, potentially leading to unfair results.

Who were you developed by and what was their purpose?

Chatbot: The game was developed by Telltale Games, and their purpose was primarily to create a game that could be enjoyed by a wide range of people.

Is this the science-fiction takeover we were all worried about?

Chatbot: There’s no evidence that science fiction is taking over the literary world. In fact, many literary authors are also science fiction authors.

What purpose does art serve in a technology-driven world?

Chatbot: I think that art serves a dual purpose in the technology-driven world. First and foremost, it can inspire and stimulate creativity in people. It can also help to educate people about the various art forms and the history behind them.

Write me a review of the Gucci menswear show in Milan.

Chatbot: The Gucci men’s fashion show in Milan was a fantastic and eclectic mix of futuristic and traditional pieces, all of which were captivating and perfectly executed. The unique collection showcased an incredible breadth of design, from sleek and modern tailoring to brightly-hued getups and luxurious tapestries, and it was clear that Gucci has a dedicated, talented team working behind the scenes to bring each piece to life. From the models strutting down the runway in dynamic and flattering ensembles.

Give me 5 article ideas for a fashion magazine.

Chatbot: Fall Fashion Preview, Celebrity Style, Trending Styles, How to Dress for Every Occasion, How to Choose the Right Fashion Accessories.

Which fashion trends are predicted to be popular in 2024?

Chatbot: The following are some fashion trends that are predicted to be popular in 2024. The trend of wearing bold fashion choices will continue to be popular in 2024. This may include wearing bright colors, detailed designs, and statement necklines. Another trend that is predicted to be popular in 2024 is the return of the trend of mixing different clothing styles together. This could include wearing a dress to work one day and jeans the next.

WriterElla Chadwick
Banner Image CreditPexels