Process Notes

CeremonyLM:
A Community Language Model

KEY WORDS:

models, reflection, advancement, online, disconnected, AI, repercussions, actions, assistance, data, interconnectivity, slowness, tangibility, personal, correspondents, impact, perpetuate

This reflection was from June 20, 2024.

I usually use Otter.ai for the first pass at conversation transcripts. I typically avoid using its generated summaries to capture complex human interactions and intimacy; however, the summaries come in handy for my individual process thoughts and my meetings with the team. I want to share this work in a timely way, so I will lean into this feature for some of these process posts. It can serve as an example of where AI can help us but also illustrate communication gaps. Where I can, I will comment where I feel it got parts of the summary “wrong” or missed the nuance in the topic. I’ve also added some formatting to emphasize questions/thoughts that stuck out to me when I read the summary. In any case, here is the first one:

AI SUMMARY:

Katie reflects on the implications of data sharing, particularly in the context of AI and large language models. She discusses the disconnect between online and offline actions, noting how people often fail to consider the repercussions of their online choices, such as consenting to privacy notices. Katie questions the necessity of personal assistance from AI and ponders whether such technologies truly enhance our lives or merely perpetuate a passive, disconnected existence. She emphasizes the importance of accountability and interconnectivity, and suggests that advancements in technology should aim to foster deeper connections rather than just increasing efficiency.

Action Items

• Explore alternative uses for language models that promote expression, intention, slowness and reflection rather than just efficiency or personal assistance.
• Have further discussions with interested parties about these technology and models and how to create ones that give something back beyond just productivity or catering to individuals.

Reflections on AI and Data Implications

• Katie shares her reflection on a podcast episode titled "The Take: How your content could soon feed Meta’s AI machine," featuring Luca Bertuzzi.
• She discusses the importance of understanding the repercussions of our actions, both online and offline, and how we often fail to recognize these impacts.

• Katie highlights the lack of tangibility in online actions, such as pressing a consent button, which makes it harder to feel accountable for the consequences.

• She questions the need for personal assistance from large language models and whether such technologies truly enhance our lives or merely perpetuate a passive way of living.

Philosophical Considerations and Accountability

• She reflects on the interconnectivity that is lost when we become disconnected from the implications of our online actions.
• The discussion touches on the potential benefits of large language models in providing personalized assistance, but also raises concerns about their true value.

• Katie contemplates whether advancements in technology are designed to connect us more deeply or merely to increase efficiency and passivity.

The Drive for Profit and Personal Assistance

• Katie critiques the primary motivation behind many technological advancements, which is often driven by profit rather than genuine benefits to users (more on this in my first meeting with Tamika)

• She questions whether personal assistants and large language models truly enhance our lives or simply make us more disconnected from our actions and their consequences.

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• The conversation explores the idea of using technology to promote expression, intention, slowness, and reflection, rather than just productivity. 🌈️🌈️🌈️
• Katie wonders if a fundamental shift in awareness is necessary for us to truly connect with each other and ourselves in a meaningful way. 

Reflections on Free Time and Busyness

• Katie contemplates what free time would look like with personal assistants and whether people would use that time to relax or fill it with other activities.
• She questions whether personal assistance technologies are merely tools to keep people busy and disconnected from their own lives.

• The discussion highlights the potential for technology to either enhance our connections or further isolate us from each other and ourselves.

• Katie concludes by expressing uncertainty about the readiness of people to embrace a different kind of connection and what that might look like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

Ceremony is a web platform that hosts an evolving catalogue of community conversations. The content is designed to bring together works by both professional and emerging artists. This project will build a live language model with the catalogue, allowing readers to participate in the creation of art via an interface designed with equity and accessibility in mind. The project aims to democratize digital tools, increase digital and data literacy through discussion, and pave the way for other creative and accessible AI applications within the artistic community.