AI and Common Sense: Why Relying on Technology Shouldn’t Replace Human Judgment

Consider this the musings of an old man.  My thinking could simply reflect generational differences.  On the other hand, the possibility exists that some principles might be worth preserving as technology continues to change how we go about conducting our business and living our lives.

What has triggered my focus on all of this is the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its expanded use.  My fear is we are quickly getting to a point where individuals know precious little themselves, while also “knowing” where to find out about everything.  Should AI be the starting point, or should it serve as a tool to improve the quality of a given product?

The ”what” of what is important for people to know can and does change from one period of time to another.  For example, a much smaller percentage of people need to know how to plow a field to produce food than was the case in the 1700s.  Are there some things where we all would be better served if individuals came to the starting gate with a set of skills and knowledge?  I say yes.

Let’s start with many of our mothers taught us a long time ago.  Good manners never go out of style.  Respect is a two-way street.  When one person shows disdain for another, casually tossing out F bombs, there is not much chance of finding common ground.  Everything simply cannot be a test of morality.  Sometimes, it is simply a difference of opinion.  Truth be known, all of us, including the “experts,” can be wrong.  If good manners trumped winning the argument, it would be easier for us to discuss things, as well as admit our mistakes.  To date, I have not seen much indication that preserving good manners is informing AI in any meaningful way.

What about being able to get from point A to point B without Lady Waze?  This is not to argue that this useful tool should be ignored.  However, it is to say that lacking a basic sense of direction is unhelpful in a variety of ways (pun intended).  Last year, a Gen Z member asked how anyone ever got anywhere before the Internet.  Uh, it is only relatively recently that this was even an option.  Somehow, people managed.

I do not believe it is a good thing when increasingly we, especially our youth, exclusively rely on digital tools to spell a word, write a sentence, or do simple math.  These should be intellectual weapons we own for ourselves, using digital tools to accelerate and improve the process.  Nobody is advocating for adding machines to be banned, just that we all bring something to the table.

Most important in all of this is how we deal with history and political matters.  If a platform is driven by a certain worldview, that will be reflected in its answers to questions.  Right now, I have seen little to indicate that the primary AI platforms do not start from a mostly liberal, progressive point of view.  That is fine and dandy, so long as this is not the final word on the subject.  Having a machine agree or disagree with your own thinking should never be the last word on any subject.

To be fair, my personal experience with AI has been mostly positive.  My belief is this is because I use it to improve my own work, not to establish the starting point.  Ask any college professor whether or not students do a lot of things, reversing the process, starting with AI.

Starting with a platform that is not guided (if not bound) by certain principles should concern us all.  Addressing matters without a set of basic skills in hand also fails the test of being a good idea.  Finally, depending on these platforms to be the judge and jury on matters of our history and political debates is more than unwise.  It is downright dangerous.

Common Sense: The clock never goes backwards.  As we move forward, however, let’s make sure humans are truly calling the shots.