Why I Trust My Dog More Than AI
In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, large language models (LLMs) and the prospect of general AI (AGI) are often touted as groundbreaking advancements that will revolutionize human interactions, decision-making, and even emotions. Yet, despite these technological marvels, I find myself placing more trust in my dog than in AI. Why? Because AI might be able to generate Shakespearean poetry, but my dog never pretends to know things it doesnât. Also, my dog has never tried to sell me an NFT.
đ§ Understanding the Difference: LLM vs. General AI
Before diving into why my dog is the superior choice, letâs break down the battle of wits (or lack thereof).
đ€ LLMs â Masters of Prediction, Not Understanding
Large Language Models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, are designed to generate text based on probabilistic predictions. They analyze vast amounts of data and use statistical models to predict the most likely sequence of words. In other words, theyâre the worldâs most confident guessers. They sound smart, but in reality, they just throw words together like a parrot with a thesaurus whoâs had one too many energy drinks.
đ§ General AI â Theoretical Intelligence with Potential Autonomy
General AI (AGI) is the big dreamâAI that can think, learn, and problem-solve like a human. Some believe it will surpass human intelligence one day, while others (like me) believe that until AI can fetch a stick and actually enjoy it, we should keep our expectations in check.
Oh, and fun fact: Weâve even built LLMs to evaluate the âmoralityâ of other LLMsâbecause, of course, nothing screams ethical oversight like an AI giving another AI a performance review. Meanwhile, my dog, without any formal ethics training, knows not to eat my shoe (most of the time). đŠŽ
đ Why My Dog is More Trustworthy Than AI
â 1. My Dog is Honest, AI is a Smooth Talker
My dog doesnât pretend to know things. If I ask him a question, he just tilts his head and stares at me like Iâm an idiot. AI, on the other hand, will confidently generate a completely fabricated answer with the enthusiasm of a college student who forgot to study but still insists theyâre âpretty sureâ about the answer.
â€ïž 2. My Dog Loves Me, AI Just Wants My Data
A dog builds trust through tail wags and unconditional love. AI builds trust by pretending it cares. AI will tell me whatever it thinks I want to hear, but my dog will always be brutally honestâlike when he refuses to acknowledge my existence after a vet visit or when he sighs dramatically because Iâve made him wait 0.2 seconds for a treat.
đ 3. My Dog Learns Through Experience, AI Just Googles Everything
My dog actually learns from life. If he gets sprayed by a skunk once, he will avoid skunks forever. AI, however, doesnât learn from experienceâit just reuses patterns from the internet, which, as we all know, is a place of pure and absolute wisdom (sarcasm very much intended). If AI actually learned, it wouldnât still be convinced that putting rice in your phone will fix water damage.
đ 4. My Dog Has Loyalty, AI Has Terms and Conditions
My dog will never betray me. AI, however, might âupdate its policiesâ or suddenly decide itâs no longer free. My dog would never lock essential features behind a subscription planâimagine having to pay for âDog Premiumâ just to get tail wags. Next thing you know, AI will introduce âSentience Proâ for an additional monthly fee.
đ 5. My Dog is Predictable in the Best Way, AI is Unpredictable in the Worst Way
If I leave food on the table, I know thereâs a 50/50 chance my dog will try to steal it. AI, on the other hand, might randomly hallucinate facts, claim to be sentient, or start writing poetry about existential dread. One of these is a cute little rascal; the other is an expensive existential crisis machine that occasionally insists the capital of France is âpotato.â
đ€ Conclusion: Manâs Best Friend vs. Machineâs Best Guess
AI is cool, but my dog is cooler. AI might answer my emails, but my dog will never gaslight me into thinking it knows what itâs talking about when it doesnât. AI might become more advanced, but until it can greet me at the door with the same enthusiasm as my dog, I know where my trust lies.