Courtesy of wikipedia.org
The email began, “Dear Author, I loved your book and would like to suggest ways to promote it.”
Anyone who has published anywhere will receive a similar message from a scammer or crank outfit, even a mimeographed ditty on how to build a horse trailer. With no name in the salutation and no mention of the book title, these junk emails are easy to spot and easy to delete. A week ago, though, one of these appeals caught my eye.
My name and the title of my book appeared in the first line of the message. What followed was a detailed and complimentary comment about the strengths of my work and my talent as a writer. Finally, I sighed. Here was someone who understood me. But I didn’t respond right away. I sent the message to my computer expert to check if the solicitation was legitimate.
“Naw,” he fired back. “It’s an AI-generated appeal from someone using a program like ChatGPT.
“But it sounds like someone read the book?” I wailed.
“Sure. AI can scan a novel in a heartbeat and give you feedback. That doesn’t mean Random House ever will.”
Oh, cruel truth!
Since then, I’ve learned a bit more about these AI programs. A writer at the Washington Post listed keywords that reveal the scam. Among them are ensure, various, crucial, significant, approach, and core. That might not be enough to keep most of us out of the sandpit, but being called a “literary genius” should be a warning.
Truth and AI aren’t aligned partners, as I’ve mentioned before. Nor is AI aligned with our Constitutional right to privacy. While there are limits on how far the government can go to track an individual without a warrant, much of the same information is available commercially through data brokers. But there is no guarantee of accuracy.
Of course, tracking systems are accessible to everyone. Those who are monitored can retaliate. MAGA groups are especially skilled at surveilling the government. Common search terms they use include criminal defense lawyer, RICO law, Swiss bank, and IBAN. (International Bank Account Number)
Whether we like it or not, AI is here, so we’d better get used to it. Many aspects of society will benefit, but “Truth” won’t be one of them. That leaves me with an overwhelming question. We have a glimpse of what AI can do. Now, what should we want it to do?
BOYCOTT Tesla, Apple, Amazon
