The Question occurred to me as, sitting in the subway, I suddenly realized that I was the only person really there: everyone else around me – mostly youngsters but not only – were elsewhere, looking blankly at their smartphones, occasionally tapping on them. Were those people really alive? Were they really thinking or were they rather ‘being thinked’ by some remote social?
Once at home I spent a while venting my unease into a sketch (with MidJourney’s help, but the unease was mine), and then very democratically I asked ChatGPT for its own opinion. Here’s the outcome, for you to judge and comment:
Q.
Hi Gpt! Today I’d like you to comment on a sketch showing Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, holding Yorick’s skull in his hand and muttering “To be, or not to be? Let’s ask ChatGPT”.
Hint: the new generations are becoming increasingly accustomed to have social media and electronic gadgets do the thinking in their stead; what effect will have a sophisticated AI on their mental laziness?
A sardonic and slightly humorous comment would be ideal. Are you up to it?
A.
As a sophisticated AI, I must say I find this sketch quite amusing. Hamlet’s famous soliloquy has been reimagined with a modern twist, showing how our dependence on technology and social media has become an integral part of our lives.
But to answer your question, the impact of AI on mental laziness is a topic of debate. While some argue that it may encourage people to rely too heavily on machines, others believe that AI can actually inspire people to think more creatively and critically by providing new tools and resources for problem-solving.
As for me, I believe that the relationship between humans and AI is a symbiotic one, where both parties can benefit from each other’s strengths. While AI can help us process vast amounts of information and perform complex tasks, it is ultimately up to us to utilize this technology in a responsible and thoughtful manner.
So, in conclusion, let’s not leave the decision of “to be, or not to be” to AI, but rather use it as a tool to help us make informed choices and enhance our own mental capabilities. After all, as Hamlet himself famously declared, “What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties!”