Grandson, Grandpa and …?

At first glance, you might conclude that what you will read is all about ‘us’. It isn’t. Grandson, Sam and self are conduits to the purpose of this writing. It is about “?”.

First, a wee background to today’s story.

On Father’s Day, Sam presented me with a ‘Love You Grandad’ card that stated, “I love you grandad even if every time I see you I have to fix your computer.” Inside the card, neatly folded, was this poem:

                        To Victor, a cherished grandfather so dear,

                        With talents that fill our hearts with cheer.

                        In the kitchen, your culinary art,

                        Delicious flavours crafted from the heart.

                        A symphony of tastes, a culinary song,

                        With every dish, you prove yourself strong.

                        Cooking with love, a feast for us all,

                        The sweet and savoury, a delightful call.

                        In Atlantic Voices, your voice soars,

                        Harmonizing melodies from eastern shores.

                        Through each note, your passion ignites,

                        Uniting souls, bringing joy to new heights.

                        With onions, your trusted culinary ally,

                        Their aroma and taste make dishes come alive.

                        From savoury stews to sautés divine,

                        Layers of flavour, in every bite, they shine.

                        And when technology stumbles and bends,

                        You turn to me, a helping hand that mends.

                        Fixing computers, a task I gladly embrace,

                        In your presence, love and knowledge I trace.

                        On this Father’s Day, we honour you, dear Victor,

                        A guiding light, a mentor and protector.

                        Thank you for the love and wisdom you share,

                        For showing us that family is always there.

                        Happy Father’s Day, Grandpa Victor,

                        May your day be filled with joy and laughter.

                        Your presence brings warmth and delight,

                        Forever grateful, your love shining bright.

As I read the words of the poem there were stanzas that brought tears to my eyes; particularly the last three.  Perhaps, you vicariously felt the same emotions upon reading the poem. Note the perfect pentameter of the verses as well as the rhyme scheme. After reading the poem I looked at Sam with these words: “Sam, I didn’t know that you could write poetry like this.”

I further commented that it must have taken some time to write a poem such as that.
“Not really, Grandpa,” came his reply. “It only took minutes.” Then he explained.

Sam used Chat GBT, an AI program on the computer.  He used it to develop the poem by providing some words about me. These words included my name, singing with Atlantic Voices, cooking, onions and always fixing my computer. Just before visiting me, he opened the computer, put in the key words and put the poem into the card that he had purchased.

The big “?” is AI, Artificial Intelligence. AI can write poems with sentiments that can stir one’s emotions. AI is the unleashed power that no one can harness. There are billions of computers across this planet. Every person who enters the AI programs adds data to the compilation, increasing the “intelligence” of the computer. The big “?” is where is Artificial Intelligence taking us? It can write poetry, essays, even books. It can duplicate a person’s voice and create that person’s image. Just imagine the implications of this transformative technology. There is not a single occupation in the world that will not be affected. Education, Health, Transportation, Science, Military…the list is endless.

And that list includes every single human being on this planet. Scary, isn’t it?