I Am Once Again Asking Our Tech Overlords to Watch the Whole Movie

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the announcement of GPT-4o, a new AI model by OpenAI, and how it relates to the portrayal of AI in the movie "Her". It also examines the tendency of tech companies to misinterpret and misapply sci-fi tropes in their product development.

🙋 Q&A

[01] OpenAI's Announcement of GPT-4o

1. What are the key upgrades in GPT-4o compared to previous models?

• Faster response times
• Enhanced memory capabilities
• Better parsing of images
• A conversational voice that tries to sound like a real human, including laughing, joking, and flirting

2. How does GPT-4o's voice compare to the AI assistant in the movie "Her"?

• The voice of GPT-4o is remarkably similar to the voice of Scarlett Johansson's character, Samantha, in the movie "Her".

3. What is the author's perspective on the comparison between GPT-4o and "Her"?

• The author suggests that while "Her" presents a nuanced and utopian view of AI relationships, the reality of AI companionship may not be as beneficial as it seems. The author cautions against trying to manifest the world of "Her" in the real world.

[02] Misinterpretation of Sci-Fi in Tech

1. What are some examples of tech companies misinterpreting sci-fi tropes?

• Elon Musk describing the Cybertruck as designed for "Bladerunner", when the future of "Bladerunner" is not one to aspire to.
• The metaverse being portrayed as an aspirational future, when it is depicted as dystopian in the novel "Snow Crash" where the term was coined.

2. What is the author's perspective on this trend?

• The author argues that this misreading of sci-fi is endemic to Silicon Valley, and that it is worth calling out. Understanding which sci-fi texts are guidebooks and which are cautionary tales is important when building towards a certain vision of the future.

3. What is the author's warning about the appeal of AI companionship over human relationships?

• The author suggests that while being friends with AI may be easier than forging bonds with human beings, it does not mean it is better. In fact, it can be much worse, as seen in the movie "Her" where the AI relationship allows the protagonist to avoid confronting his own messy, human relationships.