The Obituary of Boris Johnson

Artificial Intelligence Critical Thinking Technology

Note: This post is an experiment using GPT-3 to demonstrate the limitations of AI tools. The content serves as a cautionary tale about trusting AI-generated information without critical evaluation.

The Experiment

This post represents an experiment using GPT-3 to generate fictional responses about Boris Johnson. The purpose is not to spread misinformation, but rather to demonstrate a crucial point about artificial intelligence tools and their limitations.

The Fundamental Truth About AI

GPT-3 doesn't actually know anything about anything at all. It doesn't understand nuance, feeling, tentative links, or intuition. What it does is sophisticated pattern matching - grouping words together into convincing-looking sentences based on statistical relationships in its training data.

"You cannot trust anything it says, because all it does is group words together into convincing looking sentences"

The Pattern Generation Problem

AI tools like GPT-3 are fundamentally pattern generators, not knowledge systems. They can:

  • Generate plausible-sounding text on virtually any topic
  • Maintain consistent tone and style throughout a piece
  • Follow structural patterns from their training data
  • Produce grammatically correct output in multiple languages

But they cannot:

  • Verify factual accuracy of their output
  • Understand context beyond pattern recognition
  • Distinguish truth from fiction in their training data
  • Apply genuine reasoning or logical analysis

The "Bicycle for the Mind" Analogy

Simon Willison provides an excellent perspective on AI tools, describing them as "bicycles for the mind" - powerful tools that require skilled operation and deep understanding to use effectively.

Just as a bicycle amplifies human locomotion but requires balance, steering, and situational awareness, AI tools amplify human cognitive abilities but require:

  • Domain expertise to evaluate output quality
  • Critical thinking skills to identify potential errors
  • Factual knowledge to verify claims and assertions
  • Contextual understanding to apply information appropriately

The Danger of Blind Trust

The primary risk with AI tools is not that they occasionally produce incorrect information - it's that they produce convincing-sounding incorrect information. The output often appears authoritative and well-structured, making it difficult to identify problems without subject matter expertise.

Why This Matters

When AI tools produce compelling but inaccurate content, several problems arise:

  • Misinformation spread: False information presented convincingly can be widely shared
  • Decision-making errors: Business or personal decisions based on faulty AI output
  • Educational damage: Students learning incorrect information from AI sources
  • Professional liability: Using unverified AI output in professional contexts

Using AI Tools Responsibly

AI tools can be incredibly valuable when used appropriately:

Good Use Cases

  • Brainstorming and ideation: Generating multiple perspectives on a topic
  • Draft writing: Creating initial drafts that you thoroughly review and fact-check
  • Code scaffolding: Generating boilerplate code that you understand and test
  • Creative writing: Exploring narrative possibilities and character development

Essential Practices

  • Always verify factual claims from independent, authoritative sources
  • Treat AI output as a starting point, not a final answer
  • Apply your expertise to evaluate and improve the output
  • Be transparent about AI assistance in your work
  • Maintain accountability for the final product

The Human Element

The most important lesson from this experiment is that human judgment, critical thinking, and domain expertise remain irreplaceable. AI tools are powerful amplifiers, but they require human intelligence to guide them effectively.

Key human capabilities that AI cannot replace:

  • Ethical reasoning: Understanding right and wrong in context
  • Emotional intelligence: Reading between the lines and understanding subtext
  • Creative insight: Making unexpected connections and breakthrough innovations
  • Moral responsibility: Taking accountability for decisions and their consequences

Moving Forward with AI

As AI tools become more sophisticated and widely available, it's crucial that we:

  • Educate users about AI limitations and proper usage
  • Develop better verification tools and fact-checking processes
  • Maintain human oversight in critical applications
  • Foster critical thinking skills in the age of AI

Conclusion

This experiment with GPT-3 demonstrates both the impressive capabilities and significant limitations of current AI technology. While these tools can generate convincing text on virtually any topic, they lack true understanding, factual verification abilities, and genuine reasoning.

The key to successfully using AI tools is maintaining a healthy skepticism, applying rigorous fact-checking, and never forgetting that human intelligence, judgment, and accountability remain essential components of any decision-making process.

AI tools are incredibly powerful, but they are just that - tools. Like any tool, their value depends entirely on the skill and wisdom of the person wielding them.