Chatting with James Allen. What is AI?

Francesco here! Sat next to me is James Allen, a long-time friend and supplier of fine cheese. James has been exploring AI. I'm not keen on AI - its sounds a bit soulless and I hoping that James can explain it to me.

James, what is AI and where did it come from?

Hi Francesco!

Well, Artificial Intelligence (AI)—it's like giving a computer a really, really bad case of caffeine jitters and hoping it doesn't decide to start plotting world domination. Mimicking human thought processes? More like mimicking the slightly unhinged parts of human thought processes, the ones that involve coming up with increasingly elaborate conspiracy theories about why the toaster is always slightly too warm.

Originating in 1956, AI has evolved from symbolic reasoning (think really complicated flowcharts drawn with crayons) to sophisticated machine learning (think a caffeinated hamster sorting jellybeans based on color and then predicting the next jellybean based on purely random chance). It's transforming healthcare, finance, and transportation – which is great, unless the AI decides that the optimal route to the airport involves a thrilling detour through a haunted swamp. While offering immense potential for efficiency and innovation (yay!), ethical concerns regarding bias and misuse demand careful consideration (boo!). Imagine an AI-powered dating app that only matches you with people who share your obsession with collecting antique spoons. Or an AI that decides the best way to solve traffic congestion is to simply hypnotize everyone into believing they're already at their destination.

What about the AI images, James?

AI image generation? That's where things get really weird. These neural networks are like digital artists who've spent too much time staring at a kaleidoscope while listening to polka music. They learn the statistical structure of images, which sounds impressive until you realize it means they might accidentally generate an image of a cat riding a unicorn through a spaghetti-monster shaped cloud. Effectively mimicking styles and content? Yeah, but often with a side of surreal absurdity you didn't ask for (and probably won't understand).

So, how do you use AI for your books?

Firstly, all of my books are the result of my own vision and creativity. AI is a tool I use and it is something I am fascinated .with as a phenomenon. For example, I have written several books exploring AI like "Let's all Laugh at AI" which shows how various prompts generate results and considers the extent to which AI can be "funny". Similarly, my "the ai coffee table art book" explores the artistic skills and limitations of ai image generation. For some of my sillier books (on things like saftey pins and paperclips, I had fun prompting AI to write utter nonsense and then edited that into something coherent and entertaining.

Why do you write your books?

I started writing my books because, for years, I never know what to buy my Dad for birthdays, Christmas or Father's Day. Gifts for blokes seem so predictable. My first book was on Gaffer Tape. I just thought that there are plenty of people out there (of any gender) who want to open original gifts that make them chuckle. So I guess my books are about creating gifts for dads, gifts for blokes, gag gifts, and silly stuff that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Do you have a favourite book by someone else?

Of course! I love a lot of different types of literature. One of my favourite writes is Sam Leith. His "Words like Loaded Pistols" is fun. You can buy that here.

Do you have a favourite book that you have written?

There's a story about Irving Berlin, composer of "White Christmas", that he was once asked if he was more proud of his biggest hit song compared to his other compositions. He replied: 'I love all my songs, they are all my creations'. I guess I feel similarly. I do however want to recommend the books that don't seem to get captured by searches - I LOVE my parody of "Men are from Mars..." titled "Some are from Mercury..." Available here and I am writing more books like this. However, they don't seem to be found as easily as my others.

Is there one on the horizon?

Yes! Look out for 99 Shades of White - Coming (very) Soon.

Okay, I'll check it out! Before you go, do you have a cheese recommendation?

Yes, always!! Check out Blue Monday - you will NOT be disappointed!

See you later!

Bye!