So I just began testing Bard today. Before I dipped my toes into it, Google hit me with a series of cautionary notes, to set my expectations low. Here’s the first:

“I’m Bard, your creative and helpful collaborator. I have limitations and won’t always get it right, but your feedback will help me improve.”

Followed by this pop-up about expecting the ‘inaccurate’ and ‘inappropriate.’

So here’s what I set out to test. I didn’t want to ask the AI app to write an essay or comment on a popular topic. I wanted to see if Bard could come up with content that could be useful in a presentation.

I threw at Bard went like this:

“Create five slides for a presentation titled, The Future is Now.” ( I recently had my students in 7th grade work on a similar presentation. Could Bard match their work?)

Here’s what Bard came up with

Slide 1: Title slide

The Future is Now

Slide 2: Introduction

The future is coming at us faster than ever before. New technologies are emerging all the time, and they are changing the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. It can be hard to keep up with all the changes, but it is important to stay informed and to be prepared for the future.

In this presentation, we will explore some of the key trends that are shaping the future. We will look at how artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technologies are changing the world around us. We will also discuss the challenges and opportunities that these changes present.

Slide 3: Key trends

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly powerful and sophisticated. AI is already being used in a variety of applications, from self-driving cars to facial recognition software. As AI continues to develop, it is likely to have an even greater impact on our lives.
• Robotics is another rapidly developing field. Robots are being used in a growing number of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. Robots are becoming more and more capable, and they are likely to play an even greater role in our lives in the future.
• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two other technologies that are changing the way we interact with the world around us. VR allows users to experience a completely simulated environment, while AR overlays digital content onto the real world. These technologies are still in their early stages, but they have the potential to revolutionize many industries.
• 3D printing is another technology that is changing the way we manufacture goods. 3D printers can create objects from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and even food. This technology is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, and it is likely to have a major impact on the way we produce goods in the future.

Slide 4: Challenges and opportunities

The changes that are taking place in the world are both challenging and exciting. On the one hand, they present us with new opportunities to improve our lives and to create a better future. On the other hand, they also pose new challenges that we will need to address.

Some of the challenges that we face include:

• The potential for job displacement as automation takes over some tasks that are currently done by humans.
• The need to ensure that new technologies are used in a way that benefits all of society, and not just a select few.
• The need to address the ethical implications of new technologies, such as AI and robotics.

Despite the challenges, the future also holds great opportunities. We have the chance to create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world. To do this, we need to be prepared for the changes that are coming and to work together to shape the future that we want.

Slide 5: Conclusion

The future is coming, and it is up to us to shape it. We need to be prepared for the changes that are coming and to work together to create a better future for all.

MY TAKE:

Bard made some good points, especially since it touched on robotics and 3D printing, and the expected reference to itself, AI.

What I liked: 

(a) It was free of tech jargon. (b) The sections on ‘Trends’ and ‘Challenges.’ (c) The organization and flow of the topics.

I wasn’t ready to let it go. I asked it next to “Turn this into a 5 minute podcast script, with a host named Equinox Chatterbard, and a guest named Radium Kurzwild. Also suggest a music track.” 

I waited with baited breath. Here’s what it came back with in under a minute.

Title: The Future is Now

Host: Equinox Chatterbard

Guest: Radium Kurzwild

Music: “The Future” by Daft Punk

Equinox Chatterbard: Welcome to The Future is Now, a podcast about the future of technology and society. I’m your host, Equinox Chatterbard. And today, I’m joined by Radium Kurzwild, a futurist and author of the book “The Future is Now: A Guide to the Technologies That Will Shape Our World.” Radium, thanks for joining me today.

Radium Kurzwild: It’s my pleasure.

Equinox Chatterbard: So, let’s get started. What do you think is the biggest trend that’s shaping the future?

Radium Kurzwild: That’s a great question. I think one of the biggest trends that’s shaping the future is the rise of artificial intelligence. AI is already having a major impact on our lives, and it’s only going to become more powerful and sophisticated in the years to come. AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries, from healthcare to transportation. It also has the potential to create new jobs and opportunities.

Equinox Chatterbard: What are some of the potential benefits of AI?

Radium Kurzwild: AI has the potential to improve our lives in many ways. For example, AI can be used to diagnose diseases, develop new drugs, and create personalized learning experiences. AI can also be used to automate tasks, which could free up our time to do other things.

Equinox Chatterbard: What are some of the potential risks of AI?

Radium Kurzwild: AI also poses some risks. For example, AI could be used to create autonomous weapons that could kill without human intervention. AI could also be used to create surveillance systems that could track our every move. It’s important to be aware of these risks and to take steps to mitigate them.

Equinox Chatterbard: What do you think the future of AI looks like?

Radium Kurzwild: I think the future of AI is very bright. AI is going to continue to develop and become more powerful. It’s going to have a major impact on our lives, both positive and negative. It’s important to be aware of these changes and to prepare for them.

Equinox Chatterbard: Thanks for your insights, Radium. That’s all the time we have for today. But be sure to tune in next time for more on the future of technology and society.

Music: “The Future” by Daft Punk

____________________________________________

So what do I think?

Bard turned my two fictitious characters, Radium Kurzwild, and Equinox Chatterbard into cardboard cutouts. (Maybe I’m biased — having a podcast.) I was not surprised. AI, being ‘raised’ on content and databases rather than idiosyncrasies, and unpredictable bursts of imagination of us humans, doesn’t know this — yet.

>>Radium sounded like a PR mouthpieces who steered away from making personalized (even controversial) observations. That’s what you would have expected of a guest in a podcast, right?

>>Equinox rephrased the ‘on the one hand… on the other hand” point from slide #4 above, making it safe response. (What’s referred to as ‘both-sidesism.’) His response when asked what the future may turn out to be was pretty lame: “I think the future of AI is very bright.”

>> Music: Not a bad choice. Daft Punk did have other tracks worth considering, such as ‘Human after all.” Perhaps Bard isn’t clued into these lyrics.

In case you’re interested, I did ask ChatGPT to write a song in the vein of Bob Dylan. It was a total bust. These modern day muses are still in their infancy.