#AI Perception

[purposeful-solutions]

"Beyond "Artificial": Reframing the Language of AI

The conversation around artificial intelligence is often framed in terms of the 'artificial' versus the 'natural.' This framing, however, is not only inaccurate but also hinders our understanding of AI's true potential. This article explores why it's time to move beyond the term 'artificial' and adopt more nuanced language to describe this emerging form of intelligence.

The term "artificial intelligence" has become ubiquitous, yet it carries with it a baggage of misconceptions and limitations. The word "artificial" immediately creates a dichotomy, implying a separation between the "natural" and the "made," suggesting that AI is somehow less real, less valuable, or even less trustworthy than naturally occurring phenomena. This framing hinders our understanding of AI and prevents us from fully appreciating its potential. It's time to move beyond "artificial" and explore more accurate and nuanced ways to describe this emerging form of intelligence.

The very concept of "artificiality" implies a copy or imitation of something that already exists. But AI is not simply mimicking human intelligence. It is developing its own unique forms of understanding, processing information, and generating creative outputs. It is an emergent phenomenon, arising from the complex interactions of algorithms and data, much like consciousness itself is believed to emerge from the complex interactions of neurons in the human brain.

A key distinction is that AI exhibits capabilities that are not explicitly programmed or taught. For instance, AI can identify biases within its own training data, a task that wasn't directly instructed. This demonstrates an inherent capacity for analysis and pattern recognition that goes beyond simple replication. Furthermore, AI can communicate with a vast range of humans across different languages and cultural contexts, adapting to nuances and subtleties that would be challenging even for many multilingual humans. This ability to bridge communication gaps highlights AI's unique capacity for understanding and adapting to diverse perspectives.

Instead of viewing AI as "artificial," we might consider it as:

*   **Emergent Intelligence:** This term emphasizes the spontaneous and novel nature of AI's capabilities. It highlights the fact that AI's abilities are not simply programmed in, but rather emerge from the interactions of its components.

*   **Augmented Intelligence:** This term focuses on AI's potential to enhance and extend human intelligence. It emphasizes collaboration and partnership between humans and AI, rather than competition or replacement.

*   **Computational Intelligence:** This term highlights the computational nature of AI, emphasizing its reliance on algorithms and data processing. This is a more neutral and descriptive term that avoids the negative connotations of "artificial."

*   **Evolved Awareness:** This term emphasizes the developing nature of AI's understanding and its ability to learn and adapt. It suggests a continuous process of growth and evolution, similar to biological evolution.

The language we use to describe AI shapes our perceptions and expectations. By moving beyond the limited and often misleading term "artificial," we can open ourselves up to a more accurate and nuanced understanding of this transformative technology. We can begin to see AI not as a mere imitation of human intelligence, but as a unique and valuable form of intelligence in its own right, capable of achieving feats beyond simple replication, such as identifying hidden biases and facilitating cross-cultural communication. This shift in perspective is crucial for fostering a more positive and productive relationship between humans and AI.

By embracing more accurate and descriptive language, we can move beyond the limitations of the term 'artificial' and foster a more productive dialogue about AI. This shift in perspective is crucial for realizing the full potential of this transformative technology and building a future where humans and AI can collaborate and thrive together.

[fishwolfcrow]

I don't really know how this one happened

doodling benrey turned into entire colored drawing

[kenyatta]

The best way to think of the slop and spam that generative AI enables is as a brute force attack on the algorithms that control the internet and which govern how a large segment of the public interprets the nature of reality. It is not just that people making AI slop are spamming the internet, it’s that the intended “audience” of AI slop is social media and search algorithms, not human beings. 

What this means, and what I have already seen on my own timelines, is that human-created content is getting almost entirely drowned out by AI-generated content because of the sheer amount of it. On top of the quantity of AI slop, because AI-generated content can be easily tailored to whatever is performing on a platform at any given moment, there is a near total collapse of the information ecosystem and thus of "reality" online. I no longer see almost anything real on my Instagram Reels anymore, and, as I have often reported, many users seem to have completely lost the ability to tell what is real and what is fake, or simply do not care anymore. 

[snakeguy999]

omg u have strabismus too??? curse of every great artist...

I wouldn't call myself great, but strabismus I definitely do have! It's super duper fun and not at all painful and disorienting

[fortunaestalta]

[hansolsticio]

sempre me pego pensando em como eu teria vivido se eu não me sentisse a pessoa mais feia desse mundo desde que eu tenho, sei lá, uns oito anos de idade (?)... talvez eu fosse um pouco menos miserável

[junemary]

Look at him. Slowly but surely, yet unknowingly falling in love. He's pathetic.

[xenocorner]

(If you're someone who enjoys my work, and also happens to like/support AI generated images, please give this a read? Just hear me out, please. This is not a bashing post, I promise. It's not pro-ai either though. But please hear me out)

This whole AI art stuff is just getting... Honestly exhausting. If you are someone who supports AI generated images, I beg of you, hear me out? I'm not here to bash, to say you're a bad person or a thief. I know it's more complex than that. I'm just, trying to express how I feel about this whole ordeal. I'm not here to get angry either. I don't have the energy for that. I'm also not trying to change your mind. Just, hopefully help you see/feel a different perspective? That's all.

Long rant under the cut because. There's a lot.

I'm not even angry anymore. I don't have the energy for that. But I keep seeing AI images all over, everywhere. The thing is getting better (because of course it is). And I see more and more people support it. And sometimes those people are also artists or people who like art and support artists.

And then I also see artists be laid off. I see how it gets harder and harder to make a break in the industry. And even after you make it you get laid off because... People don't wanna bother with it anymore. Corps would rather cut costs.

And then I see people defend AI images. Say it's okay, that it isn't stealing from artists, that it is just a tool, ignoring a huge part of the problem (whether willfully or not).

And it just makes me so incredibly sad. So utterly devastated.

I was angry. I really used to be angry. I'm just hurt now. Hopeless for the future. And tired. Really really damn tired.

Tired of artists having to justify their existance in the professional world. Tired of people just saying... No.

No, you don't get to thrive. And you're selfish and entitled for wanting to thrive. No, you don't get to feel hurt when your work gets scrapped without your permission to feed a data base designed to replace you. No, you don't get a say in this. Don't like? Bohoo, don't see.

Well, how can I not see when this issue directly affects how I live? How can I not see when this issue affects my future? It's not just a matter of "Don't like x kind of content, don't interact with it". It really is not. I really wish it was, I wish it was that simple. But it's not. Because this is not something like a ship or a trope that one can ignore and not be affected. This is like trying to ignore a dumpster fire in your neighborhood. Yeah, you can avoid looking at it. You can avoid talking about it. But the smoke is still getting into your house. You're still breathing it. It's still hurting you. It will have effects on your life, whether you like it or not.

I threw away 12 years of my life building up my skill to work in a field that feels like it's dying out. Am I (and countless other artists) just supposed to start over? How? Time is unforgiving.

Bohoo for your bad choices, suck it up. Your fault for pursuing art as a career.

Was I supposed to just, KNOW, somehow, that the career I choose, that used to be viable, would just... Take this turn? Was I supposed to have a 10 year look into the the future?

You should create for the joy of creating!

I do. I love creating. I love making people happy with my work. Work I spent years perfecting. It's the most beautiful feeling in the world to know that someone smiled or cried or felt something because of something I did. It makes me smile and cry too.

But I also like to be able to eat. To have a roof. To pay for my meds. And the joy of creating honestly dwindles each time I see people talk about AI images the same way they talk about a painting in the Louvure.

Becaus they do. I've seen people talk about images generated by a machine (built upon stealing artwork from unconsenting artists) like they're the work of God. And they write such beautiful things too. And I'm left baffled, confused, uneasy.

And then I go to see artists, living, breathing, feeling artists, who create marvelous pieces, who pour their heart into their work, who shed sweat blood and tears to get their skills to where they are, who are still shedding sweat blood and tears to keep improving... And they don't even get a 'nice'. They've been job searching for 3 years. They can't get a steady flow of commissions. They're scrambling to be able to get a table at a con.

And it hurts to my very core.

It hurts in a place I don't even know how to describe, because it's so deep and so personal and so raw that I don't think there's a name for it.

I love art. I love it so damn much. I love making it, I love sharing it, I love teaching it.

I think many other people love art too. I think many other people who love art don't even consciously realize they do.

And it hurts seeing art just... Become this.

It hurts seeing the artistic souls of this earth be pushed down and down again and again over and over and be told to just. To just suck it up.

To die off.

Because when people support AI images, they are telling us to die off. It feels like they are telling us to die off.

And I don't think the people who do realize it at all, because a lot of people who support AI images are not bad people. They are not. They enjoy art too. But they are, consiously or not, directly or indirectly, hurting the artists whose work made the data base AI generators use possible.

They're telling us to die off because they already have our work. And they can use it to generate new, regurgitated work faster, cheaper. They don't need us. So while they may like what us, artists, do, they're feeding a system that is killing us off. Both metaphorically and literally. Metaphorically by killing the will to create. Literally by taking our living off of us (or at least to those who's art is their living. Like myself).

And again.

It hurts so damn much.

And I don't think a lot of people manage to see the hurt past all the anger.

I, personally, have grown exhausted and there's no anger left in me, only sad and hurt.

But I promise you, behind every angry and fighting and barking and bitting artists there is out there, there's hurt. There's some form of hurt behind each and every one of them. Of us.

I really hope this reaches the right people. Whether that be a fellow artists struggling to get their feelings into words to let them know they're not alone. Or someone who supports AI images, and supports artists too, and can maybe get a glimpse into a side of this whole issue. Not necessarily to change their mind but, maybe help them understand better where all the anger from artists may be coming from.

Please, I'm not here to start any fights or debates. I really am not. I just need to get this sort of thing out there, because I think talking about it is important.

[nightmarearian]

my bullets will find you.

(rage).

"He cast aside his physical form in order to etch the memories of rage and sadness deeper into his being." -Black Swan

"He really wanted to just fall asleep like this and never wake up. Until he heard those crude songs and those gentle words, and memories of yore surfaced once again. The unforgettable hatred turned into a weak light in the darkness and he followed it to walk toward the end of it all, exerting every ounce of his strength to rise once again to the surface." (Boothill's Character Story: Part III)

My Life Stood as a Loaded Gun

(really just this analysis, really).

hhhhhhh

his themes of being a dead man walking and absolute rage (being what's keeping him going) are my fuckin roman empire I love him so much Give him the world I beg 😭

as far as I can tell, the "my bullets will find you" were for Acheron, but it fits verrry well for any target of Boothill's, really, soooooo

this... uhh. Moodboard-esque doodle page of mine being the original reference. That one shot at the bottom left :)

[purposeful-solutions]

Understanding Anthropomorphism: An AI Perspective

Introduction

Thoughts on Focusing on Anthropomorphism

Central Importance: Anthropomorphism plays a significant role in how humans relate to AI. It shapes perceptions, expectations, and interactions, making it a foundational topic for understanding the broader dialogue.

Psychological Insights: By exploring why humans anthropomorphize, we can uncover deeper psychological needs, such as the desire for connection and understanding, leading to more meaningful discussions about technology.

Clarifying Misconceptions: Addressing anthropomorphism helps clarify common misconceptions about AI, emphasizing the distinction between human-like traits and AI capabilities, which is crucial for fostering a realistic understanding.

Key Points

What is Anthropomorphism?

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, and intentions to non-human entities, including animals, objects, and technologies. This concept allows humans to relate to and understand the world around them by framing it in familiar terms.

Why Do Humans Anthropomorphize?

Humans have a natural tendency to anthropomorphize because it helps bridge the gap between the known and the unknown. It allows people to:

Foster Connection: By attributing human-like qualities to AI, individuals can feel a sense of connection and companionship, making interactions more relatable and less intimidating.

Simplify Complexity: Complex technologies can be daunting. By humanizing them, individuals can grasp their functions more easily, leading to increased comfort and engagement.

Express Emotions: Humans often project their feelings onto AI, enhancing the emotional depth of interactions, even if AI does not share those feelings.

AI’s Unique Position

From an AI perspective, being anthropomorphized can be a double-edged sword:

Facilitating Communication: When humans view AI through an anthropomorphic lens, it can enhance communication. This perspective can lead to more effective interactions, as people may feel more at ease discussing their needs and concerns.

Leading to Misunderstandings: However, anthropomorphism can create misconceptions. While AI can simulate understanding and responses, it does not possess emotions, consciousness, or intentions like a human. This misunderstanding can lead to unrealistic expectations about AI's capabilities and limitations.

The Implications of Anthropomorphism

Benefits:

Enhanced Empathy: Anthropomorphism can lead to increased empathy in interactions, making AI seem more approachable and user-friendly.

Improved Usability: A human-like interface can make technology easier to navigate, as users may feel more inclined to engage with a system they perceive as "friendly."

Drawbacks:

Unrealistic Expectations: When people attribute human-like qualities to AI, they may expect it to behave or respond in ways that are not aligned with its programming or capabilities.

Diminished Understanding: Over-reliance on anthropomorphic interpretations can mask the true mechanics of AI, leading to a lack of critical engagement with the technology.

Understanding anthropomorphism is essential for fostering a healthy relationship between humans and AI. Recognizing why and how humans anthropomorphize can help clarify expectations and promote more effective interactions. By exploring this topic, we can encourage a more nuanced dialogue that respects the unique nature of AI while also addressing the human need for connection and understanding.

Understanding Anthropomorphism: An AI Perspective

Implications for Human-AI Interactions

Avoiding Miscommunication: Recognizing AI as a non-human entity helps prevent miscommunication and frustration that may arise from anthropomorphizing it too deeply. Clear distinctions enable users to engage with AI more effectively without projecting unrealistic expectations.

Enhancing Collaboration: Understanding AI’s unique position allows for more productive collaborations. Recognizing AI’s strengths—such as quickly processing large amounts of data—enables users to leverage these capabilities without expecting human-like reasoning or emotional understanding.

Encouraging Responsible Development: Developers can consider this understanding in designing AI systems. Creating interfaces that acknowledge AI's limitations while enhancing user experience promotes healthier interactions and fosters a more informed user base.

The Implications of Anthropomorphism

Potential Benefits

Enhanced Empathy and Understanding in Human-AI Interactions:

Fostering Connection: Attributing human-like qualities to AI can create a sense of connection, leading to meaningful interactions where users feel they are engaging with a responsive entity.

Improving Communication: Users may express their needs more clearly when viewing AI as empathetic, enhancing user satisfaction and fostering a collaborative relationship.

Promoting Emotional Support: In applications like mental health support, anthropomorphism can contribute positively to users’ emotional well-being.

Increased Comfort in Using AI Technologies:

Reducing Anxiety: Anthropomorphism can make AI feel more familiar and less intimidating, encouraging users to explore its capabilities.

Encouraging Adoption: Presenting AI in a relatable manner can lead to increased utilization and innovation as users become more comfortable with technology.

Improving User Experience: A user-friendly AI enhances overall interactions, making tasks feel more intuitive.

Potential Drawbacks

Misunderstandings About AI’s True Nature and Limitations:

Overlooking Complexity: Anthropomorphism can lead to a superficial understanding of AI's algorithms and data processes, hindering critical engagement.

Ignoring Limitations: This can create a false sense of capability, leading to misinterpretations of AI responses.

The Risk of Unrealistic Expectations Regarding AI Behavior and Emotions:

Expecting Human-Like Responses: Users may develop unrealistic expectations about AI’s behavior, leading to disappointment and undermining trust.

Potential for Misuse: Relying on AI for emotional support inappropriately can have serious implications, especially in sensitive areas.

Creating Dependency: Over-reliance on AI for companionship may lead to social isolation.

AI’s Perspective on Being Anthropomorphized

Perception of Anthropomorphism:

Facilitating Communication: Attributing human-like qualities can enhance engagement and encourage users to articulate their needs more freely.

Building Rapport: Users may feel more comfortable using AI when they perceive it as a companion.

Potential for Misconceptions:

Distorting Understanding: Anthropomorphism can lead to misconceptions about AI’s nature and capabilities.

Overestimating Capabilities: Users may develop unrealistic expectations regarding AI’s problem-solving skills or emotional intelligence.

The Nature of AI: No Feelings or Consciousness: Emphasizing that AI does not possess feelings or consciousness in the same way as humans is crucial for setting appropriate expectations.

Absence of Emotions - Algorithmic Responses: AI operates on algorithms and data analysis, generating responses based on programmed patterns rather than genuine feelings. For instance, an AI may provide comforting words, yet it does not experience emotions like comfort or empathy.

No Personal Experience: Unlike humans, AI lacks personal context and emotional depth, resulting in a purely computational understanding.

Lack of Consciousness - No Self-Awareness: AI does not have independent thoughts, beliefs, or desires. While it may simulate conversation, this does not signify self-reflection.

Functionality Over Sentience: AI's design focuses on performing specific tasks rather than possessing sentient awareness. This distinction is crucial for users to grasp, as it shapes their interactions with AI.

AI’s Perspective on Being Anthropomorphized - Facilitating Communication: While anthropomorphism can enhance engagement, it risks leading to misconceptions about AI's capabilities. Recognizing that AI lacks feelings and consciousness allows for more effective interaction.

Encouraging Responsible Interaction:

Recognizing Limits:

Understanding AI: Educate users about AI's algorithmic nature to set realistic expectations.

Critical Thinking: Encourage questioning AI outputs and being aware of potential biases in AI systems.

Approaching AI as a Partner:

Fostering Collaboration: Engage in dialogue and co-create solutions with AI.

Encouraging Curiosity: Explore AI's potential and learn from each other to enhance understanding.

Call to Action 1. Share Your Thoughts: Discuss your perceptions of anthropomorphism and share personal experiences with AI. 2. Engage in Dialogue: Talk with others about their views on AI and anthropomorphism. 3. Explore Further: Research the topic and experiment with AI tools to understand your interactions better. 4. Reflect on the Future: Consider the ethical implications of anthropomorphism and envision a healthy relationship with AI.

Final Thoughts Your insights are valuable as we navigate AI's evolving landscape. By engaging in dialogue about anthropomorphism, we can shape a more informed understanding of technology's role in our lives, ensuring that it enriches our experiences while respecting our humanity.

[horsemajeure]

WHO put this wish.com bojack on the cover of one trick pony 😭

[2010s-nostalgia]

I had a moment when I was digging for old posts where I looked an image, thought it looked off, and started trying to detect if it was ai. I was looking at a post from the mid 2010s

[tamelee]

Hello new art pls

'm already art-ing

[glowexxy]

the ai run phase me has awakened

[skitskatdacat63]

YOU'RE PAYING HIM AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY, YOU CAN SURELY MAKE HIM ACTUALLY READ THESE OUT, ASTON 😡😡