Creating an experimentation lab for writing

One jolting experience is worth a thousand words and choosing "Augmented Intelligence"

Albert Einstein and Rabindranath Tagore

Every once in a while Substack Notes explodes in AI-bashing. A sampling:

• I tried using it to to craft something based on a talk I had given. Even though it was solely my own words, it was terrible.

• Quality goes down drastically when more and more writing shares the emergent AI style that neither offends nor amazes.

• I would rather write from one human heart to another.

• People become too dependent on it losing the critical thinking and, inevitably, skills.

• I’m so creeped out by machine brain writing. Cliches and repetitive “philosophy” that doesn’t land with frisson.

It kind of reminds me of beavers who are tree-cutting-down masters. The rest of us use axes … or chain saws … or giant tree eating monsters. We choose our tools depending upon what we’re trying to do and our specific situations. Ditto AI.

In an interesting synchronicity, I had just met with a dear friend who is writing her life story for family and friends. She has great stories which I love hearing. For some reason, I decided to show her how AI might help her process. The effort fizzled, so we moved on.

This morning she sent me the photo above and commented: “I always thought Tagore was the smarter.” On a ten scale, my understanding of Einstein is probably a 3 (or less) and of Tagore a 1. So I had no way of responding to my friend. However, my curiosity was stirred so I went to my teacher (AI) and asked:

»Please briefly, and in a way a non-scientist can understand,

explain why some people rightly think Tagore was smarter than Einstein.

My teacher (AI) replied (in a flash!):

It's not that Tagore was "smarter" in the scientific sense than Einstein, but rather that they represented two very different, yet equally profound, ways of understanding the world.

Here's why some people might see Tagore as having a deeper or broader "smartness":

1. Different Kinds of Intelligence: Einstein was brilliant at understanding the physical laws of the universe – how things work, through numbers and equations. Tagore's genius lay in understanding human experience, meaning, art, and the spiritual aspects of existence. He explored the "why" and "what it means to be human," rather than just the "how."

2. Their Famous Conversation: They had a renowned discussion where Tagore challenged Einstein's purely objective view of truth. Tagore argued that truth, beauty, and even reality itself are tied to human consciousness and perception. Einstein, as a scientist, tended to see truth as existing independently of human observation. For some, Tagore's idea that reality is deeply intertwined with our minds and feelings was a more profound or complete understanding.

3. Holistic Wisdom: Tagore's approach was more holistic. He wasn't just a poet; he was also a philosopher, a composer, an artist, an educator, and a social reformer. His "smartness" encompassed a vast range of human endeavors and a deep empathy for the human condition, which some might see as a higher form of wisdom than purely scientific brilliance.

So, while Einstein excelled in the objective, measurable world, Tagore excelled in the subjective, meaningful world. Those who value a more human-centered, philosophical, and artistic understanding of existence might find Tagore's insights to be a deeper form of "smartness.”

I sent the above to my friend and she answered (also in a flash):

“Okay—— you have just made a convert of me.” (Aside … my friend is 94.)

Of course, it wasn’t me … it was the incredible, fascinating power of this technology tool we call AI (Artificial Intelligence) which seems to be neither “artificial” nor “intelligence.” This prompted another idea, so I asked my teacher:

"Artificial Intelligence" does not seem to be an appropriate term for the technology behind those words. Since "AI" was developed by human intelligence and is based on human knowledge and technology created over millennia, isn't there a better label we could use for this new tool?

My teacher responded:

While it's true that "Artificial Intelligence" was developed by humans and draws upon a vast foundation of human knowledge and technological advancements, the term has become widely accepted and understood. However, your point about finding a more fitting label is insightful.

Here's why "Artificial Intelligence" might feel incomplete, and some alternative perspectives or terms to consider:

Why "Artificial Intelligence" Can Feel Misleading

• "Artificial" Implies Mimicry, Not Origin: The "artificial" aspect correctly points to the fact that it's not organic, biological intelligence. However, it can sometimes imply a mere imitation rather than a novel creation with its own emerging properties.

• "Intelligence" Is Deeply Human-Centric: Our understanding of "intelligence" is inherently tied to human cognitive abilities. While AI systems can perform tasks that appear intelligent, the underlying mechanisms are fundamentally different from biological brains. They operate based on algorithms, data patterns, and computational power, not consciousness, emotions, or intuition in the human sense.

• Obscures Human Agency: The term might inadvertently downplay the immense human ingenuity, creativity, and labor that goes into designing, building, and refining AI systems.

Alternative Perspectives and Potential Labels

Instead of focusing on "artificial" or mimicking human "intelligence," we could consider terms that highlight other aspects of the technology:

1. "Augmented Intelligence" or "Intelligence Augmentation (IA)":

   • Rationale: This term emphasizes that these systems are designed to enhance human capabilities, rather than replace them. They serve as tools to augment our decision-making, problem-solving, and creative processes.

   • Benefits: It shifts the focus from competition to collaboration and highlights the assistive nature of the technology. This was a term often used in early AI research.

2. "Computational Intelligence":

   • Rationale: This term more accurately describes the nature of these systems. They operate through computations, algorithms, and data processing. It's intelligence derived from computation, not necessarily artificial biological-like intelligence.

   • Benefits: It's more precise about the underlying mechanisms and avoids anthropomorphizing the technology.

3. "Algorithmic Systems" or "Advanced Algorithmic Systems":

   • Rationale: This is a very direct and accurate description of what these systems are at their core. They are complex sets of algorithms designed to process information and perform tasks.

   • Benefits: It demystifies the technology and emphasizes its engineered nature.

4. "Knowledge Systems" or "Knowledge Processing Systems":

   • Rationale: Since AI is heavily reliant on processing vast amounts of human-generated knowledge (data, text, images), this term highlights its function in organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing information.

   • Benefits: Focuses on the utility and the human contribution of knowledge.

5. "Cognitive Technologies":

   • Rationale: This term acknowledges that these systems perform tasks traditionally associated with human cognition (like learning, reasoning, perception) but does not necessarily imply they are conscious or sentient.

   • Benefits: Broader and more inclusive of various AI applications, from natural language processing to computer vision.

6. "Pattern Recognition and Generation Systems":

   • Rationale: Many of the breakthroughs in modern AI, especially in deep learning, are fundamentally about recognizing complex patterns in data and generating new content based on those patterns.

   • Benefits: Describes a core capability without overstating the "intelligence" aspect.

Why "Artificial Intelligence" Persists

Despite these alternatives, "Artificial Intelligence" has become deeply ingrained in public discourse and academic fields for several reasons:

• Historical Precedent: The term was coined in 1956 and has been in use for decades, making it difficult to displace.

• Catchy and Evocative: It's a powerful term that captures the imagination and conveys the idea of machines performing tasks that were once exclusively human.

• Broad Umbrella: It serves as a convenient umbrella term for a vast and diverse field of research and applications.

Ultimately, while "Artificial Intelligence" might not be perfectly precise, its widespread adoption means that any new term would face an uphill battle for acceptance. However, your question highlights a crucial point: as we continue to develop and integrate these technologies, understanding their true nature—as powerful tools built by human ingenuity—is paramount. Perhaps a more nuanced understanding of "AI" itself, rather than a new label, is the most practical path forward.

My instant decision: from now on “AI” means to me: Augmented Intelligence.