Recently, I attended a webinar sponsored by a learning company. Needless to say I was thoroughly surprised to learn how many AI tools are out there in the ether. I was blown away and frightened simultaneously. I saw tools that can not only answer questions and create images, but applications that create songs, videos, presentations and even podcasts. The whole time I was thinking, "Where were these resources when I first started my career as an eLearning Developer?". How many times did I have an idea in my head and wanted to generate a special image or video and didn't have the graphic design software I needed or the learning curve was too steep to overcome in time to deliver my project? If I had access to these tools back in 2012 the level of my eLearning interactions would have been a game changer.
However, I didn't have them and had to rely on my resourcefulness and ingenuity. As I sat thru the webinar though, I also thought how much I wanted to get my hands on them, play around with them, learn how to use them and become an expert. Alternatively though, I also thought of how scary it is these applications exist and how accessible they are. We all know there are many out there with nefarious intentions. If only humanity would strive for the betterment of society versus personal gain and fraud.
At any rate, I feel as learning professionals, we should explore and engage with these new tools and use them to enhance our interactions. I also think we should be cautious in that these tools are a blessing and a curse. They not only can be used for criminal or diabolical purposes, they also could potentially stifle our self sufficiency.
I am a Gen Xer, I was not born into technology, but learned how to use it in my youth. Therefore, I can navigate both worlds of technology and non-technology. If technology fails, I know how to go back to the analog world. I know how to write with a pen and paper and how to perform research without a computer or the internet. Do I love modern technological conveniences, absolutely, but can I survive without them, yes!
I feel AI will further deprive the younger generations of being able to do things on their own. Our youth heavily rely on technology in all aspects of their lives and they don't know how to live with out it. Most can't even drive in their neighborhoods and communities without a navigation app. Nor can they seem to figure out how to write papers without ChatGPT or fix anything without watching a TikTok or YouTube video. That is why I say AI may stifle their self sufficiency
I suggested we embrace AI but with caution. We should not give our souls away to incorporate it into our lives. We should strive to find a balance. Who knows what the future holds. Hopefully we will not enter into one of those dystopia futures we see in the movies where technology caused irreparable damage or leaves the world in a non technological state, leading to life like it was in the stone ages.
In the meantime, I'm going to learn all I can about how to use AI responsibly and make some amazing learning interactions. Happy designing!!!!
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