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| You Can’t Spell Creative Without A.I. | You Can’t Spell Creative Without A.I. |
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| This article is part of our latest Artificial Intelligence special report, which focuses on how the technology continues to evolve and affect our lives. | This article is part of our latest Artificial Intelligence special report, which focuses on how the technology continues to evolve and affect our lives. |
| Steve Jobs once described personal computing as a “bicycle for the mind.” | Steve Jobs once described personal computing as a “bicycle for the mind.” |
| His idea that computers can be used as “intelligence amplifiers” that offer an important boost for human creativity is now being given an immediate test in the face of the coronavirus. | His idea that computers can be used as “intelligence amplifiers” that offer an important boost for human creativity is now being given an immediate test in the face of the coronavirus. |
| In March, a group of artificial intelligence research groups and the National Library of Medicine announced that they had organized the world’s scientific research papers about the virus so the documents, more than 44,000 articles, could be explored in new ways using a machine-learning program designed to help scientists see patterns and find relationships to aid research. | In March, a group of artificial intelligence research groups and the National Library of Medicine announced that they had organized the world’s scientific research papers about the virus so the documents, more than 44,000 articles, could be explored in new ways using a machine-learning program designed to help scientists see patterns and find relationships to aid research. |
| “This is a chance for artificial intelligence,” said Oren Etzioni, the chief executive of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a nonprofit research laboratory that was founded in 2014 by Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder. | “This is a chance for artificial intelligence,” said Oren Etzioni, the chief executive of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a nonprofit research laboratory that was founded in 2014 by Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder. |
| “There has long been a dream of using A.I. to help with scientific discovery, and now the question is, can we do that?” | “There has long been a dream of using A.I. to help with scientific discovery, and now the question is, can we do that?” |
| The new advances in software applications that process human language lie at the heart of a long-running debate over whether computer technologies such as artificial intelligence will enhance or even begin to substitute for human creativity. | The new advances in software applications that process human language lie at the heart of a long-running debate over whether computer technologies such as artificial intelligence will enhance or even begin to substitute for human creativity. |
| The programs are in effect artificial intelligence Swiss Army knives that can be repurposed for a host of different practical applications, ranging from writing articles, books and poetry to composing music, language translation and scientific discovery. | The programs are in effect artificial intelligence Swiss Army knives that can be repurposed for a host of different practical applications, ranging from writing articles, books and poetry to composing music, language translation and scientific discovery. |
| In addition to raising questions about whether machines will be able to think creatively, the software has touched off a wave of experimentation and has also raised questions about new challenges to intellectual property laws and concerns about whether they might be misused for spam, disinformation and fraud. | In addition to raising questions about whether machines will be able to think creatively, the software has touched off a wave of experimentation and has also raised questions about new challenges to intellectual property laws and concerns about whether they might be misused for spam, disinformation and fraud. |
| The Allen Institute program, Semantic Scholar, began in 2015. It is an early example of this new class of software that uses machine-learning techniques to extract meaning from and identify connections between scientific papers, helping researchers more quickly gain in-depth understanding. | The Allen Institute program, Semantic Scholar, began in 2015. It is an early example of this new class of software that uses machine-learning techniques to extract meaning from and identify connections between scientific papers, helping researchers more quickly gain in-depth understanding. |
| Since then, there has been a rapid set of advances based on new language process techniques leading a variety of technology firms and research groups to introduce competing programs known as language models, each more powerful than the next. | Since then, there has been a rapid set of advances based on new language process techniques leading a variety of technology firms and research groups to introduce competing programs known as language models, each more powerful than the next. |
| What has been in effect an A.I. arms race reached a high point in February, when Microsoft introduced Turing-NLG (natural language generation), named after the British mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing. The machine-learning behemoth consists of 17 billion parameters, or “weights,” which are numbers that are arrived at after the program was trained on an immense library of human-written texts, effectively more than all the written material available on the internet. | What has been in effect an A.I. arms race reached a high point in February, when Microsoft introduced Turing-NLG (natural language generation), named after the British mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing. The machine-learning behemoth consists of 17 billion parameters, or “weights,” which are numbers that are arrived at after the program was trained on an immense library of human-written texts, effectively more than all the written material available on the internet. |
| As a result, significant claims have been made for the capability of language models, including the ability to write plausible-sounding sentences and paragraphs, as well as draw and paint and hold a believable conversation with a human. | As a result, significant claims have been made for the capability of language models, including the ability to write plausible-sounding sentences and paragraphs, as well as draw and paint and hold a believable conversation with a human. |
| “Where we’ve seen the most interesting applications has really been in the creative space,” said Ashley Pilipiszyn, a technical director at OpenAI, an independent research group based in San Francisco that was founded as a nonprofit research organization to develop socially beneficial artificial intelligence-based technology and later established a for-profit corporation. | “Where we’ve seen the most interesting applications has really been in the creative space,” said Ashley Pilipiszyn, a technical director at OpenAI, an independent research group based in San Francisco that was founded as a nonprofit research organization to develop socially beneficial artificial intelligence-based technology and later established a for-profit corporation. |
| Early last year, the group announced a language model called GPT-2 (generative pretrained transformer), but initially did not release it publicly, saying it was concerned about potential misuse in creating disinformation. But near the end of the year, the program was made widely available. | Early last year, the group announced a language model called GPT-2 (generative pretrained transformer), but initially did not release it publicly, saying it was concerned about potential misuse in creating disinformation. But near the end of the year, the program was made widely available. |
| “Everyone has innate creative capabilities, she said, “and this is a tool that helps push those boundaries even further.” | “Everyone has innate creative capabilities, she said, “and this is a tool that helps push those boundaries even further.” |
| Hector Postigo, an associate professor at the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, began experimenting with GPT-2 shortly after it was released. His first idea was to train the program to automatically write a simple policy statement about ethics policies for A.I. systems. | Hector Postigo, an associate professor at the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, began experimenting with GPT-2 shortly after it was released. His first idea was to train the program to automatically write a simple policy statement about ethics policies for A.I. systems. |
| After “fine-tuning” GPT-2 with a large collection of human-written articles, position papers, and laws collected in 2019 on A.I., big data and algorithms, he seeded the program with a single sentence: “Algorithmic decision-making can pose dangers to human rights.” | After “fine-tuning” GPT-2 with a large collection of human-written articles, position papers, and laws collected in 2019 on A.I., big data and algorithms, he seeded the program with a single sentence: “Algorithmic decision-making can pose dangers to human rights.” |
| The program created a short essay that began, “Decision systems that assume predictability about human behavior can be prone to error. These are the errors of a data-driven society.” It concluded, “Recognizing these issues will ensure that we are able to use the tools that humanity has entrusted to us to address the most pressing rights and security challenges of our time.” | The program created a short essay that began, “Decision systems that assume predictability about human behavior can be prone to error. These are the errors of a data-driven society.” It concluded, “Recognizing these issues will ensure that we are able to use the tools that humanity has entrusted to us to address the most pressing rights and security challenges of our time.” |
| Mr. Postigo said the new generation of tools would transform the way people create as authors. | Mr. Postigo said the new generation of tools would transform the way people create as authors. |
| “We already use autocomplete all the time,” he said. “The cat is already out of the bag.” | “We already use autocomplete all the time,” he said. “The cat is already out of the bag.” |
| Since his first experiment, he has trained GPT-2 to compose classical music and write poetry and rap lyrics. | Since his first experiment, he has trained GPT-2 to compose classical music and write poetry and rap lyrics. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| That poses the question of whether the programs are genuinely creative. And if they are able to create works of art that are indistinguishable from human works, will they devalue those created by humans? | That poses the question of whether the programs are genuinely creative. And if they are able to create works of art that are indistinguishable from human works, will they devalue those created by humans? |
| A.I. researchers who have worked in the field for decades said that it was important to realize that the programs were simply assistive and that they were not creating artistic works or making other intellectual achievements independently. | A.I. researchers who have worked in the field for decades said that it was important to realize that the programs were simply assistive and that they were not creating artistic works or making other intellectual achievements independently. |
| The early signs are that the new tools will be quickly embraced. The Semantic Scholar coronavirus webpage was viewed more than 100,000 times in the first three days it was available, Dr. Etzioni said. Researchers at Google Health, Johns Hopkins University, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Notre Dame, Hewlett Packard Labs and IBM Research are using the service, among others. | The early signs are that the new tools will be quickly embraced. The Semantic Scholar coronavirus webpage was viewed more than 100,000 times in the first three days it was available, Dr. Etzioni said. Researchers at Google Health, Johns Hopkins University, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Notre Dame, Hewlett Packard Labs and IBM Research are using the service, among others. |
| Jerry Kaplan, an artificial-intelligence researcher who was involved with two of Silicon Valley’s first A.I. companies, Symantec and Teknowledge during the 1980s, pointed out that the new language modeling software was actually just a new type of database retrieval technology, rather than an advance toward any kind of “thinking machine.” | Jerry Kaplan, an artificial-intelligence researcher who was involved with two of Silicon Valley’s first A.I. companies, Symantec and Teknowledge during the 1980s, pointed out that the new language modeling software was actually just a new type of database retrieval technology, rather than an advance toward any kind of “thinking machine.” |
| “Creativity is still entirely on the human side,” he said. “All this particular tool is doing is making it possible to get insights that would otherwise take years of study.” | “Creativity is still entirely on the human side,” he said. “All this particular tool is doing is making it possible to get insights that would otherwise take years of study.” |
| Although that may be true, philosophers have begun to wonder whether these new tools will permanently change human creativity. | Although that may be true, philosophers have begun to wonder whether these new tools will permanently change human creativity. |
| Brian Smith, a philosopher and a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Toronto, noted that although students are still taught how to do long division by hand, calculators now are universally used for the task. | Brian Smith, a philosopher and a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Toronto, noted that although students are still taught how to do long division by hand, calculators now are universally used for the task. |
| We once used rooms full of human computers to do these tasks manually, he said, noting that nobody would want to return to that era. | We once used rooms full of human computers to do these tasks manually, he said, noting that nobody would want to return to that era. |
| In the future, however, it is possible that these new tools will begin to take over much of what we consider creative tasks such as writing, composing and other artistic ventures. | In the future, however, it is possible that these new tools will begin to take over much of what we consider creative tasks such as writing, composing and other artistic ventures. |
| “What we have to decide is, what is at the heart of our humanity that is worth preserving,” he said. | “What we have to decide is, what is at the heart of our humanity that is worth preserving,” he said. |