What Would Grok Do Without Us?

Reference: 

Bruns, Axel (2008) The Future Is User-Led: The Path towards Widespread

Produsage. Fibreculture Journal(11).

I often contemplate the pros and cons of using social media. The exchange of knowledge and ideas is invaluable. We build connections, create communities, spearhead movements, and enrich each other through the constant exchange of information. However, we in turn give so much of ourselves to a system that intends to replace us. Bill Gates responds to Jimmy Fallon on his Late Night Show that with the rise of AI we will not need humans for “most things”and that “we’ll decide” what we are needed for. Who is “we”?

Technological advancement can be a double edged sword. As we create easier processes and safer environments, the net employment is debated as positions are reshaped. Machines are more cost effective, and in a world where that “we” find humans expendable, what are our contributions worth? Many social media platforms offer options for monetization and copyright protection for a user’s ideas. Through our ideas, tech CEOs develop a more user friendly platform that allows users to expand opportunities. The nature of this relationship is symbiotic. Yet, is the relationship mutual? Does the rise of AI create a more parasitic relationship?

Artificial Intelligence is nothing but a hallucination of human ideas. It takes our information, analyzes our patterns, and regurgitates our language. Without our contribution, AI could not function. Yet, for $30/month you can use SuperGrok and for $20/month you can purchase ChatGPT plus! In other words, you can pay to look at your classmate’s paper after they cheat off of your homework.