Feb 19, 2024
In the early 1990s, a groundbreaking video game called Doom not only redefined the landscape of gaming but also sparked a vision for the future of technology. While Doom itself did not utilize GPUs — since the technology was still in its infancy — it set a precedent that better graphics could lead to more immersive experiences and, consequently, greater sales. This realization fueled a desire among gamers and developers alike for more visually complex games, setting the stage for successors like Quake to fully harness the power of GPU hardware.
This push for enhanced graphics in gaming indirectly catalyzed the development of GPUs, which are now instrumental in powering the algorithms behind modern artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs). The technological advancements spurred by the gaming industry's quest for better graphics have thus laid the groundwork for the computational capabilities essential to today's AI research and applications.
However, as we embark on this journey into AI's potential, it is crucial to proceed with both optimism and caution. While AI promises to revolutionize our approach to global challenges such as climate change and healthcare, it also raises ethical concerns and safety issues. The complexity and potential biases within AI systems, as well as their impact on society, necessitate a balanced and informed approach to their development and deployment.
Despite these challenges, the story of Doom and its indirect contribution to the rise of GPUs and AI highlights an essential truth about innovation: it often occurs in unpredictable ways. Just as the gaming industry's demand for better graphics unexpectedly contributed to the AI revolution, today's AI technologies could provide us with unprecedented tools to address the pressing issues of our time.
The implications of technological cross-pollination are vast. LLMs and AI applications are already making significant strides in fields such as materials science and scientific research, showcasing the transformative potential of AI.
In light of Doom's legacy, the message is clear: while embracing the possibilities AI offers, we must navigate this new terrain with care and responsibility. Demystifying AI and promoting a culture of ethical innovation can help us leverage these technologies to their fullest potential without falling prey to their risks.
Doom's enduring impact extends beyond the realm of gaming, indirectly influencing the development of technologies that underpin the current AI landscape. As we explore AI's role in shaping our future, our decisions today will determine whether we can harness this potential to overcome our greatest challenges or whether we will be overwhelmed by the very technologies we hoped would save us. The creativity and exploratory spirit that Doom inspired could very well be the key to our collective salvation.
Jan 11, 2024
In the vast expanse of technological evolution, the way humans interact with computers has been a constant study in innovation. From the clunky keyboards of the early computing era to the sleek touchscreens of today, each step has been a leap towards greater efficiency and intuitiveness. Today, we stand at the cusp of another monumental shift, heralded by the advent of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs). These are not mere tools; they are harbingers of a future where our interactions with computers become more natural and human-like than ever before.
For over six decades, since the inception of the modern computer mouse, our primary interaction with computers has been through graphical user interfaces. This longstanding reliance on keyboards and mice highlights a stagnant era in human-computer interaction. However, GPTs promise a seismic shift from these traditional interfaces. They offer a more intuitive, conversational, and context-aware interaction, akin to speaking with a knowledgeable assistant rather than inputting commands through clicks and keystrokes.
Unlike traditional search engines that rely on keyword-based queries, GPTs understand and process natural language, providing contextually relevant and conversational responses. This nuanced understanding of human language and intent marks a significant departure from the impersonal, list-based outputs of search engines. For developers, this opens a new realm of possibilities for creating user interfaces that are more aligned with natural human communication.
In this new era, developers are no longer just coding for functionality within the constraints of a graphical interface. Instead, they are designing experiences that are more akin to human-to-human interaction. This shift requires a new set of skills focused on natural language understanding and AI-driven design, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in software development.
Imagine booking a holiday or running a business automation through a simple conversation with your computer. GPTs make this possible. They can interpret your requirements, ask relevant follow-up questions, and execute tasks with a level of ease and understanding that traditional interfaces cannot match. This capability is set to revolutionize how we perform a myriad of daily tasks, making technology more accessible and efficient.
Looking ahead, GPTs are poised to become the heart of computer systems, translating user intent into actionable commands. This goes beyond text-based interaction; imagine a future where a camera interprets your hand gestures, or a microphone picks up your spoken words, and a GPT translates these into digital commands. This leap forward in human-computer interaction is not just about convenience; it's about augmenting human capabilities and freeing up our time and mental resources for more creative and meaningful pursuits.
The arrival of GPTs marks a new chapter in the story of human-computer interaction. As we move away from the confines of graphical user interfaces and towards a more natural, conversational mode of interaction, we unlock a world of possibilities. It's a journey from interacting with a machine to conversing with an intelligence that understands us. The potential of GPTs to transform our digital lives is immense, and the time to embrace this change is now.
Oct 30, 2023
It's 2:31am and right now, I can't sleep.
Running ten kilometers is not the kind of thing you should really just wake up and decide to do. An event such as this requires training and discipline; neither of which are qualities I possess in any remarkable way. Yet I did, and as expected, it hurt. My right knee is in disaster recovery mode and every muscle below the waist is questioning what it did to be treated with such malice. Thrust into a world of unknown origin or purpose, I have asked my body to perform something that some might describe as remarkable. Others might just call it Tuesday afternoon.
This weekend also heralded the early demise of friends star and recent author Matthew Perry. After years of struggling with addiction, a seemingly innocuous afternoon in the jacuzzi ended in a sudden cardiac arrest. 18 months of sobriety and well on his way to utilising his life in a more meaningful, directed manner, only to be struck down by the pure ambiguity of the universe.
And then there is my partner's dog Mia. She's not as mobile as she once was and we both noticed it for the first time today. There was a time when she used to do laps of the backyard barking almost constantly at the slightest sound. She was so relentless, she cut a game-trail into the grass. She is a cattle dog so it is in her nature. Now, as the steady decline of age has set in, her body seems less willing to move to the door when we come outside.