In the initial months following the launch of ChatGPT, AI chatbots seemed almost magical to many users. These AI entities could craft poems, concoct cocktail recipes, and even perform certain writing tasks. People marveled at how these programs seemingly mastered human language, attributing them with intelligence and even sentience. At that time, my colleague Ian Bogost noted that AI provided a means to manipulate text like a versatile tool.
Over a year later, Ian’s perspective has shifted. In a recent article, he reflects on how the novelty of AI that once captivated audiences has now given way to a more subdued acceptance. Instead of using AI to spark creativity, he now views it as a tool for mundane tasks such as website coding, student selection, and research assistance for various Atlantic stories. AI, much like laptops and smartphones in the past, has transitioned into the background of everyday operations. The future of this technology may not hinge on achieving “superintelligence” but rather on its continued utility and the increasing trust people place in it.
In a piece titled “AI Has Lost Its Magic” by Ian Bogost, he recounts his experience with ChatGPT. While the AI could adeptly emulate the style of poet Hart Crane when writing poems, the thrill had waned. Even when asked to apply Crane’s style to describing ice-cream sandwiches, the outcome failed to captivate Ian, signaling a shift in his perception. The initial allure of generative AI, once a source of fascination and entertainment, has now receded. The era where AI felt enchanting and novel appears to have reached its conclusion, paving the way for a more subdued but impactful role in technology’s evolution.
The trajectory of AI’s journey parallels the hype cycle experienced by the crypto industry in Silicon Valley. Just as the crypto craze settled into a more stable yet less sensational phase post-crash, AI technology seems to be following a similar path of maturation and integration into daily operations, as highlighted by Matteo Wong, an associate editor at The Atlantic.
