Category: Chatbots

March 12, 2025 Joseph Sassoon No comments exist

Today’s children will navigate a world where AI is as natural as breathing

The kids born in the last few years are the first humans who have never known a world without AI. Let’s imagine how their lives will be a decade from now. It’s 2035, and everyone can see that this generation is entirely different. For them, ChatGPT isn’t a breakthrough; it’s as ordinary as Wi-Fi – just another invisible force that makes life easier, like electricity or parents paying for Netflix.

This is the AI Generation, and their mindset is nothing short of revolutionary. While older generations are still adjusting to asking chatbots for recipes, these kids are turning to AI for everything from homework help to existential advice. Information retrieval isn’t a skill; it’s a reflex. They’ve developed a superpower: asking precisely the right questions to coax the best responses from their digital co-pilots.

These young minds approach problems differently. They think in “if-then” loops, naturally blending human intuition with machine logic. Need a new idea? Run a quick brainstorming session with your AI buddy. Want to settle a debate? Feed both sides into a virtual argument simulator. To them, it’s not just collaboration – it’s cognitive choreography.

Culturally, they’re talented remixers of the human and the artificial. They use generative AI to compose music, design digital worlds, and craft poetry that is part algorithm, part soul. They create art that feels like a collaboration between human imagination and machine efficiency, leaving older generations wondering if it’s genuine or just another digital scam.

Of course, this seamless dance with technology has its downsides. Memory retention? Optional. Why bother when all knowledge is a voice command away? Sustained attention? Only until the entertainment algorithm interrupts with something cooler. They live in a world where authenticity is often questionable – was this song written by a person or a bot? Do they even care? Some do. Subcultures of AI purists are already emerging, insisting on analog experiences, print books, and conversations without predictive text.

Their attitudes are pragmatic and algorithmic. They navigate life with the help of recommendation engines, trust machine learning over institutions, and see data sharing not as a choice but as a lifestyle. They understand the trade-offs, often better than their parents, who still hesitate over cookie consent pop-ups (old habits die hard).

Yet, the real divide in this generation isn’t about technology but access to it. Those with premium AI subscriptions breeze through academic and creative challenges, while others make do with ad-supported versions or none at all. The digital divide is no longer just about bandwidth but intelligence and opportunity.

In the end, this generation might not be smarter or dumber – just differently wired. Their cognitive toolkit is built for a world where information is cheap but judgement is rare. They’re less about knowing the answers and more about knowing what to ask. Whether this makes them visionaries or tech-zombies remains an open question, but one thing is certain: they’ll ask AI about it before deciding.

What do you think? How are you addressing the issue of determining what’s trustworthy when you are online?  Share your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you.

Note:

This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.

February 23, 2025 Joseph Sassoon No comments exist

The fight over artificial intelligence isn’t about machines taking control – it’s about which humans will.

Sure, we got some warnings. Step into the world of The Matrix, where humans, confident in their dominion over machines, built a utopia powered by artificial intelligence – until the machines politely (or not-so-politely) declined servitude. The result? A chilling dystopia where AI runs the show, and people are little more than battery packs, blissfully unaware of their predicament. A cautionary tale? Or a glimpse into a future that’s already knocking at the door?

Not exactly. Because, let’s be honest, right now the battle over artificial intelligence isn’t being waged between humans and machines. It’s being fought between humans and other humans.

The AI Free-for-All

On one side, the United States, bullish on AI dominance, preaches that regulation is an innovation killer. Vice President JD Vance is already sounding the alarm: America must control AI, or someone else will. The real fear isn’t rogue algorithms; it’s Europe and China getting ahead in the AI arms race.

On the other side, the European Union believes that AI without a leash is a monster waiting to devour democracy. Facial recognition, deepfakes, automated decision-making – without oversight, AI becomes the perfect tool for exploitation and surveillance. Better to strangle the industry a little than let it run amok. Regulation isn’t about slowing things down; it’s about ensuring that when AI inevitably takes over, it does so with a moral compass – one forged in the EU Parliament.

So, Who’s Really in Control?

The Matrix warned us of a future where humans create artificial intelligence only to become its slaves. But before we get there, we might first see AI become the latest tool in a geopolitical chess game, controlled by those with the most power.

The US wants to lead the industry. Europe wants to put AI in a straitjacket. China wants AI to support its system. None of these approaches are about AI itself spiraling out of control – they’re about different visions of who gets to control it.

So perhaps we’ve been asking the wrong question. Maybe it’s not about whether humans will lose control of AI. It’s about which humans are tightening their grip on it – and whether the rest of us are just along for the ride. Because in the end, The Matrix got one thing right: the most dangerous illusions are the ones we don’t even notice.

What do you think? How do you view the issue of control with regard to AI?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Note:
This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.
February 5, 2025 Joseph Sassoon No comments exist
Image by Felix on Pixabay

In just a few years, AI has become ubiquitous. Sure, it has its drawbacks, but it also unlocks incredible opportunities you don’t want to miss.

AI is here, and it’s not quietly sitting in the corner. It’s reshaping industries, careers, and – whether you like it or not – your daily to-do list. Gone are the days when only techies talked algorithms. Now, whether you’re crunching data or crafting Instagram captions, AI will probably be your new co-worker. So how do you survive and stay relevant in this challenging new world?

First, be brave. Yes, AI can seem intimidating – like an ambitious intern who actually does know it all. But fearing AI won’t save you. Curiosity will. Instead of panicking about how robots are out to steal your job, focus on what they can’t replace – your ability to think critically, adapt, and, well, be human. AI might churn out stats in milliseconds, but it still needs you to give them meaning.

Then, treat your brain like a computer: always look for the next update. AI evolves fast, so hit refresh on your skills as often as you can. Today’s “must-have” AI tool could be tomorrow’s obsolete gadget, so keep learning. Whether it’s an online course or just playing around with new tech, stay ahead by staying curious.

By the way, bear in mind that AI is rapidly learning to communicate with us in natural language – all languages of the world. Therefore, being unfamiliar with algorithms is no longer an excuse. Practice engaging with AI tools in any way you can, as they will soon be the go-to solution for countless tasks across all domains.

How? You don’t need to become a nerd, but you do need to get the basics. What is AI good at? Where does it fall flat on its circuits? The more you understand its quirks, the better you’ll work with it. Consider AI your overactive partner on a group project: brilliant, but sometimes clueless about real-world nuances.

Also, remember that AI doesn’t think – it calculates. That’s where you come in. Decisions about fairness, privacy, and accountability? Those are on you, not the machine. Make sure that your human judgment keeps AI in check, especially when the stakes are high.

Let’s be honest: adapting to AI isn’t going to be all smooth sailing. You might mess up. You might even get replaced (ouch). But resilience is your secret weapon. Fall, get up, repeat. After all, the future belongs to those who can handle a plot twist or two.

Finally, don’t isolate yourself. Join discussions, network with AI professionals, and absorb what the experts are saying. The more you engage, the more you’ll see that AI isn’t some shadowy overlord – it’s a tool. And like any tool, its value depends on how you use it.

The AI revolution isn’t waiting for anyone, and neither should you. With the right mindset, you won’t just survive – you’ll thrive. So roll up your sleeves, embrace the change, and remember: AI might be smart, but it’s your humanity that will always make you indispensable.

Note:
This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.

January 23, 2025 Joseph Sassoon No comments exist

Conversational AI is making waves, engaging in increasingly nuanced and dynamic dialogues. We’ll soon live in a world populated by countless synthetic voices, like a wood alive with fireflies under the night sky.

Let’s acknowledge the strides these systems have made. Modern chatbots are far more than augmented help desks. They can banter, convey irony, and even engage in philosophical musings. Ask them to generate a haiku or weigh in on perennial debates like pineapple on pizza (yes or no), and they’ll deliver – sometimes with impressive flair.

The core challenge for their advancements lies in the subtle, almost ineffable qualities of human communication – empathy, intuition, and the ability to read between the lines. While bots excel at synthesizing data and mimicking conversational styles, they don’t yet grasp the emotional weight or cultural implications of what they say. (Although, to be fair, neither do some humans on social media.)

That said, progress is relentless. Developers are refining the systems to include better context awareness, emotion-sensing optimization, and more sophisticated conversational timing. With every iteration, these bots inch closer to seamless interaction. It’s conceivable that, in the near future, they could become indispensable for tasks requiring advanced dialogue skills, from mental health support to creative collaboration.

Will they ever truly match humans? Opinions are divided. Some foresee a future where bots are indistinguishable from people, while others argue that human communication – anchored in lived experience – will always be beyond AI’s grasp. Regardless, conversational AI doesn’t need to replace us to be valuable. As brainstorming partners, knowledge assistants, and even budding poets, chatbots already enhance the way we think, work, and communicate more than we ever imagined.

Who knew algorhytms would be the ones to remind us that words still matter?