ChatGPme: a window on ethical AI
Inspired by Billy Smith's post on LinkedIn, on the environmental cost of those Action Figure images.
I confess I've been sitting wondering just what the numbers must be for the energy consumption behind all these action figures.
Billy Smith has done the maths over on LinkedIn, so here you have it. Thanks, Billy! 2 million plastic bottles' worth of energy. Wow.
Having researched, apparently ChatGPT takes about 2 minutes to generate an Action Figure. I consider that a challenge. I have taken a sheet of paper from the recycle bin, my old but trusty pack of felt tips, and a timer, and have seen what a human with limited artistic talent can do in the same time.
Let's start a counter-revolution. I'd love to see yours too! But here’s me: laptop, phone, foster cat, euphonium, DMs. The tools of my various professional and other trades. (Post continues below dreadful image)
On a more serious note. I suspect anyone embroiled in the hype around these figures has been tempted. Certainly when the initial novelty of each successive iteration of AI-generated witchery hits the mainstream, it’s incredible to see what it can (and can’t) do. These things need experimentation.
Yes, I use AI-generated images to accompany some of my writing. Because, well, you’ve seen the standard of my own artistic ability, and sometimes stock images just don’t make the grade. But I do generally try to consider if that next re-prompt is truly necessary. To consider the purpose I’m doing this for.
I’m sure there will be some of you out there denouncing me as a killjoy. I get it, honestly I do. But please do check out the figures on particularly multimedia AI generation, and balance up its undoubted potential and benefits with those figures. I’m no expert, but I know it’s seriously eye-opening.
And if you still feel it warrants pressing that button, then crack on. Or, like me, get the felt tips and a scrap of recycling paper, and show off / show up your own artistic abilities!
PS if you’re trying to read through to the back of the scrap paper, it’s a veterinary treatment plan for one of my previous fosters - now living life happily as demigod to a retired gent somewhere in Bristol.