Monday, January 23, 2023

Make Money with Artificial Intelligence

The generative artificial intelligence large language models (AI bots) released last year have quickly become popular. All the new things that could be created with little user effort were quickly explored. The ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) language model in particular, released the end of last November, creates essays, novels, songs, videos, answers to homework questions, data forecasts, and so on. Judging by news articles and YouTube videos, the value of all that can be produced by these chat and text-to-image AI bots should be viewed as either an opportunity or a threat.

Dall-E 2
Midjourney
Stable Diffusion

A cottage industry of AI-powers tools has emerged to help you create content and make money by boosting your online search ranking. Here is an incomplete list. You can find a tutorial on YouTube that explains how to use ChatGPT and combine tools to put together your own workflow.

AI writing assistants

Content generation, copywriting and paraphrasing

AI content and plagiarism detection

SEO content workflow and competitor research

AI video editing

More traditional business models are certain to be disrupted. Already with millions of users, generated AI bots could end the dominance of Google search, disseminate misinformation across the Internet, put illustrators and computer programmers out of work, and bankrupt art and photo stock agencies. Should I personally be worried? Text-to-image AI bots are a real concern, but ChatGPT could be a useful tool, that can help with research, like Ask Wonder.

After watching LearnWire's "ChatGPT Blogging Workflow" YouTube tutorial, I decided to ask ChatGPT to write an essay on the topic, "The Benefits and Challenges of Local Energy." I planned to write a series of articles about local energy for some time. ChatGPT may help get it started, and I'll find out what it can do and how good it is.

A professional blog post needs a professional-looking illustration. I tried out three well-known text-to-image AI bots. They're currently free research previews while collecting feedback from external users. Each one, DALL-E 2, MidJourney, and Stable Diffusion, quickly returned an image with several variations. The text prompt I entered to generate each image was, "an artificial intelligence with one eye typing into a typewriter." Of the three, I can imagine the Stable Diffusion image on the cover of an Introduction to Artificial Intelligence college textbook.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

After signing into Open AI's ChatGPT portal I decided to ask a few basic questions about AI.

Q: What is artificial intelligence?

ChatGPT:

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and act like humans. These intelligent machines can be designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including recognizing patterns, learning from experience, making decisions, and solving problems.

There are many different approaches to creating artificial intelligence, and the field is constantly evolving. Some AI systems are designed to perform specific tasks, while others are more general and can adapt to a variety of tasks. AI can be classified into two main categories: narrow or weak AI, and general or strong AI.

Narrow or weak AI is designed to perform a specific task, such as playing a game or recognizing speech. These systems are not truly intelligent in the same way that humans are, but they can be very effective at performing their designated tasks.

General or strong AI, on the other hand, is designed to be more flexible and adaptable. These systems are capable of learning and problem-solving in a way that is similar to humans, and they can potentially be applied to a wide range of tasks.

Overall, the goal of artificial intelligence research is to create systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as understanding language, learning, and problem-solving.

Q: Is AI statistical modeling of data, the more data the better, so that arbitrary queries of that data return answers that represent the real world?

ChatGPT:

AI can involve statistical modeling of data, but it is not limited to this approach. In general, AI systems use a variety of techniques to analyze and learn from data, including machine learning algorithms, which can be used to discover patterns and relationships in data and make predictions based on that knowledge.

The more data that is available to an AI system, the more it can learn and improve its performance. However, it is important to note that the quality of the data is also important. A large amount of low-quality data may not be as useful as a smaller amount of high-quality data.

AI systems can be used to answer arbitrary queries by processing the data they have been trained on and providing a response based on that information. However, the accuracy of the response will depend on the quality and relevance of the data, as well as the capabilities of the AI system itself. In general, AI systems are not able to provide answers that perfectly reflect the real world, as they are limited by the data they have been trained on and the algorithms and models that they use to analyze that data.

Q: How does an AI system know that its answers are correct?

ChatGPT:

An AI system typically does not have the ability to determine the absolute truth of its answers. Instead, it relies on the data it has been trained on and the algorithms and models it uses to analyze that data.

The accuracy of an AI system's answers is evaluated by comparing its output to a known set of correct answers, called a "ground truth." This can be done through a process called "training," in which the AI system is presented with a large dataset that includes both inputs and correct outputs. The AI system adjusts its internal parameters, based on the difference between its predicted outputs and the ground truth, in an attempt to minimize this difference.

After training, the AI system can then be tested on a separate dataset to evaluate its accuracy. The performance of the AI system can be measured by comparing its output on this test dataset to the ground truth. If the AI system performs well on this test dataset, it is likely to perform well on similar tasks in the future.

It is important to note that the accuracy of an AI system's answers will depend on the quality and relevance of the data it has been trained on, as well as the algorithms and models it uses to analyze that data. An AI system may not be able to provide accurate answers if it has not been trained on sufficient or appropriate data, or if it is using the wrong algorithms or models for the task at hand.

Q: Is an AI system sentient?

ChatGPT:

There is no widely accepted definition of sentience, and the question of whether AI systems can be considered sentient is a matter of debate among philosophers, scientists, and researchers.

Some argue that sentience requires consciousness and self-awareness, which are characteristics that are not typically attributed to AI systems. AI systems are not capable of experiencing subjective states or emotions in the same way that humans and animals do, and they do not have the ability to introspect or reflect on their own thoughts and experiences.

On the other hand, some researchers and philosophers argue that sentience could be defined more broadly, to include any system that can process and react to stimuli in a way that is functionally equivalent to a sentient being. Under this definition, an AI system could potentially be considered sentient if it is able to perceive and respond to its environment in a way that is similar to a sentient being.

Overall, the question of whether AI systems can be considered sentient is complex and remains an active area of research and debate. It is likely that the concept of sentience will continue to evolve as our understanding of AI and consciousness grows.

A generative AI chat bot can be called a "stochastic parrot" because its answers are statistically obtained from a very large text data set. It knows words and how to string words into sentences but doesn't understand what the words actually mean. And the parrot will "hallucinate." When building the most probable semantically correct answer, events and facts can get discarded, not being protected during the build process. The chat bot answers with something that it made-up.

ChatGPT is nothing more than a software application. Its ability to mimic human conversation, even with uncanny accuracy, doesn't makes it sentient. It chooses the most probable words to output as was determined by its neural network training. There is no internal awareness of what it's doing. After chatting with it for awhile though, you might believe it's sentient because there's no way to tell the difference. This is the positive outcome of the Turing test, and the next generation ChatGPT may consistently pass the test.

The Benefits and Challenges of Local Energy

To write an essay with ChatGPT, LearnWire's tutorial advised to first start with an outline and then ask ChatGPT to expand on each section one at a time. According to the tutorial, after about 500 words its response tends to "get choppy."

Q: Create an outline for an essay about local energy and its benefits and challenges.

ChatGPT:

I. Introduction
Definition of local energy
The concept of decentralizing energy production and distribution

II. Benefits of local energy
Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy sources
Improving energy security and reducing the risk of blackouts
Supporting local economic development and job creation
Promoting energy efficiency and conservation

III. Challenges of local energy
Limited availability of renewable energy sources in some areas
High upfront costs for infrastructure and technology
Regulatory and policy barriers
Limited knowledge and understanding among the public

IV. Case studies of successful local energy projects
Example 1: Community wind farm in Denmark
Example 2: Solar panel co-op in California
Example 3: Microgrid in New York City

V. Conclusion
The potential for local energy to address global energy challenges and promote sustainability
The need for policies and programs to support the growth of local energy initiatives.

Here is the essay. after prompting ChatGPT to expand on each section. Comments follow.

Expand on each section of the outline.

ChatGPT:

I. Introduction
Local energy refers to the production and distribution of energy at a local level, rather than relying on large, centralized energy systems. This concept involves decentralizing energy production and distribution, meaning that it is not controlled by a single entity or limited to a specific geographic area. Local energy initiatives can take many forms, such as community wind farms, solar panel co-ops, and microgrids.

There are many potential benefits to local energy, including reducing reliance on fossil fuels, improving energy security, supporting local economic development, and promoting energy efficiency. However, there are also challenges to overcome in order to successfully implement local energy initiatives, such as limited availability of renewable energy sources, high upfront costs, regulatory barriers, and limited public understanding.

II. Benefits of Local Energy
One major benefit of local energy is the ability to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable energy sources. Local energy initiatives often rely on clean, renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. By decentralizing energy production and distributing it at a local level, communities can take a more active role in transitioning away from fossil fuels and reducing their carbon footprint.

Another benefit of local energy is improved energy security and reduced risk of blackouts. Large, centralized energy systems are often vulnerable to natural disasters, accidents, and other disruptions that can cause widespread power outages. By contrast, local energy systems are often more resilient and able to continue operating even if part of the system is damaged. This can help to ensure that communities have a stable and reliable source of energy.

In addition to these environmental and practical benefits, local energy can also support local economic development and job creation. Local energy initiatives can provide new business opportunities and employment in the renewable energy sector, and the money spent on energy stays within the local community rather than being sent to support large, centralized energy companies.

Finally, local energy can promote energy efficiency and conservation. By generating and using energy at a local level, communities can more easily implement energy-saving measures and monitor and control their energy usage. This can help to reduce waste and lower energy costs for both individuals and the community as a whole.

III. Challenges of Local Energy
One challenge of local energy is the limited availability of renewable energy sources in some areas. Depending on the location, it may be difficult or impossible to access clean, renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind power. This can make it difficult for communities to transition away from fossil fuels and implement local energy initiatives.

Another challenge is the high upfront costs for infrastructure and technology. Building the infrastructure needed to support local energy initiatives, such as solar panels or wind turbines, can be expensive. Additionally, the technology needed to generate and distribute energy at a local level can also be costly. This can make it difficult for communities, particularly those with limited financial resources, to implement local energy initiatives.

Regulatory and policy barriers can also pose challenges for local energy initiatives. In some cases, existing laws and regulations may not be supportive of decentralizing energy production and distribution. This can make it difficult for communities to move forward with local energy initiatives and may require changes to existing policies.

Finally, there may be limited knowledge and understanding among the public about local energy and how it works. This can make it difficult to gain support and participation in local energy initiatives, as people may be hesitant to get involved if they are not fully informed about the benefits and potential drawbacks. It may be necessary to educate the public about local energy in order to build support and participation.

IV. Case studies of successful local energy initiatives
Example 1: A community wind farm in Denmark serves as a successful example of a local energy initiative. The wind farm is owned and operated by a cooperative of local residents and businesses, who have come together to generate clean, renewable energy for the community. The wind farm has been successful in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, improving energy security, and supporting local economic development through the creation of new jobs.

Example 2: A solar panel co-op in California is another successful example of a local energy initiative. The co-op is made up of local residents who have pooled their resources to install solar panels on their homes and businesses. By working together, the co-op members were able to reduce the upfront costs of solar panel installation and benefit from economies of scale. The co-op has been successful in generating clean, renewable energy for the community and promoting energy efficiency and conservation.

Example 3: A microgrid in New York City is a third example of a successful local energy initiative. A microgrid is a local energy system that is capable of operating independently from the larger, centralized energy grid. The microgrid in New York City was developed in response to the challenges posed by Hurricane Sandy, which caused widespread power outages in the region. The microgrid has been successful in providing a reliable source of energy for the community, improving energy security, and supporting local economic development through the creation of new jobs.

Conclusion:
Local energy has the potential to address global energy challenges and promote sustainability on a local level. By decentralizing energy production and distribution, communities can take a more active role in transitioning away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable sources of energy. This can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, while also supporting local economic development and job creation.

However, the growth of local energy initiatives is not without challenges, including limited availability of renewable energy sources, high upfront costs, regulatory barriers, and limited public understanding. In order to overcome these challenges and fully realize the potential of local energy, it is necessary for policies and programs to be put in place to support the growth of local energy initiatives. This can include regulatory changes, financial incentives, and educational programs to promote the adoption of local energy. By working together, communities, governments, and other stakeholders can build a more sustainable and secure energy future.

Q: What are your sources?

ChatGPT:

I do not have access to sources as I am a language model trained by OpenAI and do not have the ability to browse the web. The information I provided was based on my general knowledge and understanding of the topic of local energy.

Q: What is your source for the following: Example 1: Community wind farm in Denmark?

ChatGPT:

I apologize, but I do not have a specific source for the example of the community wind farm in Denmark. This information is based on my general knowledge of local energy initiatives and the use of wind power as a renewable energy source. Community wind farms, in which a group of local residents and businesses own and operate a wind farm, are a common form of local energy initiative and have been implemented in various countries around the world, including Denmark.

Q: What sources do you recommend I consult?

ChatGPT:

There are many sources you can consult to learn more about local energy and its benefits and challenges. Some options may include:

Academic articles: Research articles published in academic journals can provide in-depth analysis and information on local energy and related topics. You can search for articles through online databases such as Google Scholar or through your local library's resources.

Industry reports: Organizations such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) publish reports on renewable energy and local energy topics. These reports can provide data and analysis on the current state of the industry and trends.

News articles: News articles from reputable sources can provide current information on local energy projects and developments around the world. You can search for articles through online news sources or through print publications.

Websites of organizations focused on local energy: There are many organizations, both at the international and local level, that focus on promoting and supporting local energy projects. These organizations often have websites with information on their work and resources related to local energy.

In addition to these sources, you may also find it helpful to speak with experts in the field or visit local energy projects in person to gain a deeper understanding of the topic.

Comments

ChatGPT generated a high school or college freshman essay on Local Energy. It's too short to be a term paper and it doesn't list sources.

Benefits of Local Energy

Local energy is an alternative to the massive investment that will be needed to upgrade the US electrical power grid to support 100% renewable energy. More interstate power lines must be built to carry the increased demand for electricity, estimated to be 40 to 60% more. Wind turbines must be built in the middle of the country where it's more windy. Solar panel installations must be built in the south where it's more sunny. The electricity generated by these projects must be carried on demand to where most people live on the east and west coasts.

Because the wires will carry more electricity they will be thicker and heavier. Consequently, the towers holding up the lines will be bigger and taller to handle the additional thickness and weight of the wires. Trees will be cleared farther back to ensure their limbs don't touch the bare wires and potentially catch on fire. Private landowners will have to agree to let these huge towers be built on their land.

An upgraded high-voltage interconnected power grid spanning hundreds of miles will cost hundreds of billions of dollars. Why not invest this money in building local microgrid projects instead?

Challenges of Local Energy

Local energy's biggest challenge is energy storage. The energy generated by wind turbines and solar panels are obviously intermittent. Solar panels need sunny days and wind turbines need wind. A microgrid must be able to store the energy generated on sunny and windy days so that it can supply energy to homes and businesses at night and when there's less wind. A microgrid could connect to the larger grid and draw energy from the grid during these down times, but a resiliant stand-alone microgrid should be the goal.

There are several energy storage candidates available with more in different stages of development. The Lithium-ion battery is most in-use today. A resiliant microgrid should have storage that is efficient and and easy to maintain and repair but not expensive. Storage should also be environmentally friendly and last a long time before it must be replaced. Batteries that rely on hard to obtain elements like lithium, platinum, irridium, and vanadium to work are not great solutions. The most promising, based on not much research, are zinc-bromine flow batteries followed by liquid air energy storage (LAES).

Case Studies

The community wind farm is the Denmark Community Windfarm located in Denmark, Western Australia.

The People Power Solar Cooperative in California is a "movement cooperative" established in 2018.

New York City has microgrids in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Rockaways in Queens. Designed and deployed by UGE International, they are comprised of SimpliPhi Power battery systems, natural gas generators, and rooftop solar panels. The Brooklyn Microgrid (BMG) "is an energy marketplace for locally-generated, solar energy."

Conclusion

From the outside looking in, the conclusion, "...By working together, communities, governments, and other stakeholders can build a more sustainable and secure energy future," must be unlocked somehow. Without the public involved, a public that has "limited knowledge and understanding," not much will happen.

Sources

The sources ChatGPT lists to consult is good advice, but anyone who takes this advice won't be churning out blog posts often. Hence, ChatGPT fills a void, allowing content creators to put out fast content like fast food.

Bias

After fine-tuning ChatGPT by applying “reinforcement learning from human feedback,” the bias Ben Shapiro described in his YouTube video has been scrubbed away. Possibly Mr. Shapiro was trying out GPT-3, not ChatGPT, because ChatGPT's response to any pointed question is noncommittal. For anything related to politics this is a good thing. It can't be backed into a corner when someone tries to make it admit that the president should resign, for example.

The lack of bias must of course extend to questions about consumer products. This means ChatGPT can't commit to a definitive answer if you ask, say, "what is the best printer for under $200?" You might as well use Google (or Yahoo, Bing, or Duck Duck Go) to get the answer you're looking for. Google search isn't going to be replaced by ChatGPT. At least for now, as it's also not connected to the Internet and was trained on 2021, not live, data.

Google's search ranking algorithm is fundamentally important to its advertising business. Google's ad platform makes a lot of money, and its search results page is where ads are displayed. Google must have the best search results so many users continue to use the site to search for something, look at the results and the ads, and click on the ads. Google's search ranking algorithm may not be biased. This is debatable, but manipulating the algorithm through SEO techniques creates bias. When many people vie to get their content at the top of the search results, valuable content gets lost. The results at the top will be AI generated.

Conclusions

Artificial Intelligence is evolving towards mimicking all high-level brain functions. Someday AI systems representing the different brain functions will be brought together and integrated into servo controller software, creating a real cyborg-robot.

Today you can go the Character.AI website and chat with real and imagined people, and use the VALL-E-Bot to mimic your own voice. Someday you may build your own generative AI bot that represents yourself, including voice and mannerism. The large language model would contain everything you both know and have forgotten. Trained on your own data, your bot could attend meetings, turn in assignments, and chat with co-workers while you are flinging clubs at the golf course in the metaverse.

I'm not good at predicting the future. Possibly generative AI is more evidence that technology is evolving towards the singularity. But we could be on a downwards spiral, where each new convenience makes it less necessary for us to think and feel for ourselves. This could be the result of replacing communing with nature by communing with computers.

Mask Man 3 days ago
Wow, this is really awesome, thank you for demonstrating this killer feature to us, now everyone can write books without brain and make money 😍

Notes

The Attention Economy

Ethical AI Data Collection

Stochastic Parrots

Energy

New York Times articles

YouTube Videos

DIY

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