Ethical AI

What a better way to start than with an image generated by AI itself. AI is in its infancy still and based on machine learning algorithms that can be tweaked by its creator to filter results. It can be used to learn things and help refine new ideas.

[And yes, the bottom of this piece has parts generated by AI.]

But, similar to Wikipedia, copy/pasting the information you get from AI can be your downfall. A smart student will use Wikipedia to find real sources at the bottom of the page for various claims. The same must be done with AI.

Before we get into how to use it ethically, we need to understand that it is inevitable.

AI is a Tool

Like the tractor is to the farmer, photoshop to the photographer, MIDI keyboard to the musician, and even the millions of do-it-yourself guides available online for a multitude of tasks.

Everything is made to make repetitive processes simpler. An experienced writer or artist that is willing to embrace AI will find their workflow can become smoother and for commissioned work, your client can better provide a general idea of what they want from the final piece.

Just like how Photoshop can be used to make quick edits and undo mistakes that would have cost a physical picture to be ruined forever. AI can be used to generate ideas quickly and touch up parts that you like.

Future AI

Unlike the AI you see in sci-fi films, there's AI in the works right now that will actually be on consumer market within the next few years or couple decades.

Right now, OpenAI has Dall-E 2 for images and ChatGPT for text generation. These are the two widely known ones. Ignoring some of the other machine learning models that already exist out there for other products. Open AI has a few projects on the go in their research models.

Whisper - Whisper is a speech-to-text translation AI. Currently still in infancy it will one day be on the market where two people can speak their native tongue and read what the other person is saying through near-instant translation.

Jukebox/MuseNet - Capable of creating 4 minute musical pieces that follow various styles. It might be a while from entering consumer market, but there are others already vying for a share in the AI generated music market. Carol and Tuesday is a good anime to watch that already talks about AI generated music and human made pieces.

These combined with neural implants, self driving vehicles, and more, the future is filled with AI or technology that will heavily compliment using AI integration into your workflow. Smart homes already exist and one day those AI programs you speak to will be able to integrate with these projects and allow you to use speech (and even thought with brain implants) to create something from an idea that originates from you.

Moving onto the Ethics

Finally after quickly summarizing why AI is really going to be here to stay and you should probably figure out how to make yourself comfortable with it, let's discuss how to use something like ChatGPT ethically.

Dall-E 2 has its own watermark at the bottom right of the image, but generally just be up front about using AI generated images. Not many people will mind it, but passing it off as your own 100% creation is a scummy thing to do, even when it's your idea that made the image from AI. Same applies for ChatGPT work.

So let's start with creating an idea of pirates on an adventure. I named the AI Melissa for my interaction with it.

Me: "So Melissa, let's start with a basic idea of a crew of pirates on the open sea. Can you help create some characters, their role on the ship, and a brief back story?"

AI: "Captain Leonora "Ironheart" Blackwood:

Role: Fearless Captain

Backstory: Captain Leonora Blackwood is a seasoned and respected pirate captain known for her cunning tactics and unyielding determination. She earned the nickname "Ironheart" due to her unwavering resolve and the iron prosthetic arm she acquired after a fierce battle. Raised in a coastal town devastated by ruthless traders, Leonora turned to piracy as a means of seeking justice and protecting those who couldn't defend themselves.

First Mate Roderick "Whisper" Sterling:

Role: Stealth and Strategy Expert

Backstory: Roderick Sterling, also known as "Whisper," is the enigmatic first mate of the pirate crew. Gifted with exceptional stealth and a strategic mind, he ensures the success of their covert operations. Roderick's past is shrouded in mystery, with rumors suggesting he was once a renowned thief who mysteriously vanished from the criminal underworld. Now, his expertise aids the crew in executing their missions undetected.

Isabella "Siren" Devereaux:

Role: Navigator and Seductress

Backstory: Isabella Devereaux, known as "Siren," possesses an enchanting beauty and a sharp wit. As the skilled navigator of the crew, she guides their ship through treacherous waters and navigates the intricate channels of rival pirate factions. Isabella's backstory reveals that she was born into a noble family, but her thirst for adventure and a desire to escape societal constraints led her to embrace a life of piracy.

Tobias "Blade" Hawthorne:

Role: Fierce Fighter and Weapons Specialist

Backstory: Tobias Hawthorne, nicknamed "Blade," is a towering and intimidating figure with a formidable presence on the ship. His unparalleled skill with various weapons, particularly blades, makes him an invaluable asset in both boarding enemy vessels and defending their own. Raised by a renowned swordsmith, Tobias grew up immersed in the art of combat. However, a tragic event drove him to the life of a pirate, seeking revenge against those who wronged him."

Me: "Melissa, could you create a few more characters under the same guideline?"

AI: "Amelia "Stormrider" Westfield:

Role: Master Helmswoman

Backstory: Amelia Westfield, known as "Stormrider," possesses an uncanny ability to navigate through violent storms and treacherous weather conditions. With a deep connection to the elements, she can harness the wind and waves to the advantage of their ship. Amelia's origins are intertwined with a seafaring family, and she inherited her affinity for sailing from generations of skilled mariners. Her expertise at the helm is unparalleled, earning her respect and admiration from the crew.

Marcus "Crow's Eye" Graves:

Role: Sharpshooter and Lookout

Backstory: Marcus Graves, nicknamed "Crow's Eye," is the sharp-eyed marksman and lookout of the crew. Gifted with exceptional eyesight and an eagle-like focus, he spots potential threats from afar and delivers deadly accuracy with his trusty musket. Marcus had a troubled past, having been wrongfully accused and exiled from a wealthy merchant family. The life of a pirate offered him a chance to prove his innocence and seek redemption.

Seraphina "Silksong" Vega:

Role: Ship's Musician and Negotiator

Backstory: Seraphina Vega, known as "Silksong," is a talented musician whose melodies soothe the crew and forge alliances with other pirate factions. Her enchanting voice and mastery of various instruments create an atmosphere of camaraderie among the crew members. Seraphina's origins are rooted in a nomadic tribe known for their musical traditions. Drawn to the freedom of the open sea, she left her tribe to explore new horizons and share her gift with the world.

Elijah "Buccaneer" Cole:

Role: Ship's Cook and Quartermaster

Backstory: Elijah Cole, nicknamed "Buccaneer," serves as the ship's cook and quartermaster. With a knack for culinary creativity, he turns simple ingredients into delectable feasts for the crew. Additionally, Elijah maintains order and handles the crew's provisions and supplies. Elijah's backstory reveals that he grew up in poverty, finding solace in cooking amidst challenging circumstances. Joining the pirate crew provided him with an opportunity to showcase his culinary skills and indulge his adventurous spirit."

Me: "Melissa, could you create an outline for an adventure these eight crew members embark upon?"

AI: "Title: The Lost Isle's Treasure

Introduction

Introduce the crew and their ship, setting the stage for their daring adventure.

Establish the crew's reputation as skilled pirates and their quest for wealth and adventure.

Legend of the Lost Isle

Uncover a mysterious ancient map or hear rumors of a legendary treasure hidden on a remote and treacherous island.

Share the folklore surrounding the Lost Isle and the countless dangers that guard the fabled treasure.

The Perilous Journey

The crew sets sail, navigating through dangerous waters and facing natural hazards.

Encounter rival pirate ships and engage in thrilling naval battles to protect their interests.

Overcoming Challenges

Reach the Lost Isle and face its treacherous terrain, filled with hidden traps and puzzles.

Utilize each crew member's unique skills to overcome obstacles, with Roderick's stealth, Amelia's navigation, and Blade's combat prowess playing crucial roles.

Ancient Guardians

Discover that the treasure is guarded by ancient guardians, mythical creatures, or a forgotten tribe.

Engage in epic battles with these formidable adversaries, showcasing the crew's bravery and resourcefulness.

Betrayal and Sacrifice

Unveil a traitor within the crew, someone who seeks to claim the treasure for themselves or has ulterior motives.

Explore the complexities of trust, loyalty, and sacrifice as the crew confronts this internal threat.

Unveiling the Treasure

Finally reach the heart of the Lost Isle and uncover the magnificent treasure.

Describe the riches, artifacts, or ancient relics that await them, painting a vivid picture of their extraordinary discovery.

Consequences and Reflection

Reflect on the moral implications of their actions and the impact on their lives as pirates.

Discuss the crew's individual character arcs, personal growth, and the bonds forged during their adventure.

The Next Voyage

Leave room for a potential sequel or hint at new adventures on the horizon for the pirate crew."

Cutting out some of the beginning messages and filler from the AI's response, in just three prompts, I got: eight characters, roles for them, backgrounds, as well as now an outline for the story to take place and a title for said story to top it all off. Pushing the AI with the right prompts further, I could flush out each portion of the story and make edits, creating a novel length story in under an hour.

Now there are two ways that someone can make use of this level of creativity.

They could copy/paste it and probably end up with a lot of plot points that don't actually blend well (although as machine learning gets better, it'll start to really blend in with original work) and not credit the AI's assistance in creating the piece like many listicle pushers will be doing over the next couple of years.

Or, ethically, they can use the content created from the prompts and write their own story. Using AI to help expand upon ideas they have but can't find the right words or details for. Mentioning somewhere in the piece that content was created with the aid of AI in the process.

Ending Thoughts

Personally, I believe using AI as the tool it's meant to be, it can help creators make something spectacular and help clear potential writer blocks.

While we could use AI to flush out stories, using it as a soundboard to bounce ideas off of and come up with new ones from your own original idea is what it's truly meant to support.

I hope none of you are afraid of this tool, and if you are, don't be. When used to enhance your own mind, it will only serve to compliment your own ideas.

(Side note: It'd be interesting to use the above prompts and get a few creators to edit details about the characters and adventure to create their own story of "The Lost Isle's Treasure").