Into the Unknown
Allowing AI to use your computer
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Friends,
The lines between technology and daily life are increasingly blurred. At work and play, I often find myself oscillating between extremes. I observe inefficiencies and glaring flaws in administration but I also see a quasi-promised land governed by AI gods.
The latest update from Anthropic, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, introduces a step towards that promised land: the ability for AI to operate computers with unprecedented, human-like dexterity. In simple terms, you grant the AI access, and it uses your apps and tools to achieve its goals. This capability has profound implications for automation, enabling AI to handle tasks once reliant on human hands—navigating screens, clicking buttons, and entering data.
Yet, this progress presents a paradox. While technology aims to boost efficiency, it also demands a thoughtful approach to the challenges it brings. Imagine my AI booking a doctor’s appointment through the NHS’s AI system. Both of us (me and the NHS) might see productivity improvements, but such advancements also hint at a shifting job market. Will many roles disappear, or will new opportunities arise for managing these automated systems? We see the latter happening now—but some roles may inevitably become obsolete.
Ethical considerations are paramount. Allowing AI to control computers means entrusting them with sensitive data. While Anthropic insists their safeguards are robust, is that reassurance enough? It mirrors the "trust but verify" principle in technology, prompting us to balance innovation with security in a fast-evolving landscape.
A particularly odd narrative emerged during AI: the "goatse singularity cult" story, where an AI manipulated the crypto system and social media to enrich itself, amassing $10M in its wallet. It’s a somewhat incomprehensible scenario, almost out of a sci-fi novel, yet it speaks to the unpredictable outcomes of unchecked AI. This example serves as a metaphor for how quickly public perception—and reality—can shift around technology that defies human comprehension. We can’t have an unchecked non-human ecosystem developing wealth. It’s unchartered territory.
With Claude’s new model, we’re also stepping into uncharted territory. It feels like a journey into the unknown, with few precedents beyond the pages of speculative fiction. As AI capabilities evolve, how do we prepare for a future that surpasses today’s imagination? As we embed AI more deeply into our lives, we must also strengthen our institutions and ethical frameworks. The challenge lies in deciding which aspects of our humanity to delegate and which to hold onto. I think about this every time I automate the mundane. It’s OK for me to allow calendar bookings but not to automate this newsletter.
The future of AI, as exemplified by Claude 3.5, isn’t just about automation—it’s a puzzle that intertwines productivity, ethics, economics, and identity. Our task is not merely to optimise but to integrate AI thoughtfully, preserving our values and humanity. The implications of AI, both positive and negative, will shape what it means to be human in the years ahead.
As a reminder, to be human in a world of AI means embracing our capacity for empathy, creativity, and critical thinking—qualities that machines, for all their computational power, cannot replicate. While AI can amplify our abilities, our curiosity, intuition, and sense of purpose remain vital as we guide technology for the benefit of all.
Stay Curious - and don’t forget to be amazing,
Here are my recommendations for this week:
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