So, to be fully honest, I’ve been swamped lately. My kid has been sick, my day job has been a bit all consuming, and with the advent of nice weather all the outdoor stuff needs to get done. Which means that I haven’t had a lot of time to think about, research, and write a good blog post. Yesterday, in my panic session of “what am I going to say?!?” someone suggested that I should just let ChatGPT write my blog post. And while I’m not going to do that just fully without telling on myself, it did give me an intriguing idea.
I’m sure that many of you have heard all about Artificial Intelligence, AI for short, and how it’s going to destroy the whole world, especially artistic endeavors like writing. I have my skepticism, but it’s hard to deny that the generative AI machines out there now are causing a stir. People have been using it all over the place in areas where they don’t totally understand yet. Like that lawyer in New York last year who used ChatGPT to write a brief for a real trial and the bot fully made-up case law references. That guy got fined and narrowly escaped having his license suspended by honestly pleading that he did not know the chat bot could just make up stuff whole cloth (which is a well know phenomenon in the AI development community called hallucinating). The judge admonished him in the sanctions opinion by saying, “[t]echnological advances are commonplace and there is nothing inherently improper about using a reliable artificial intelligence tool for assistance, but existing rules impose a gatekeeping role on attorneys to ensure the accuracy of their filings.”
In the art world, Generative AI developers are facing lawsuits over the use of internet scraping for teaching their machines how to create images from language descriptions. Creatives are trying to get legal and contractual protections so that we don’t allow AI generated art to flood the market at such low prices that human creators can no longer make a living doing art. Some artists are even pushing back against these big data scrapes using programs like Nightshade to “poison” their artwork that’s posted on websites and social media. The program overlays an invisible-to-the-human-eye mask on the art which a computer cannot penetrate. One version of the mask also provides fake information to the AI bot, such as feeding the AI data machine a picture of a toaster that gets labeled as a bunny rabbit. False information like this can harm the learning model that AI is based on, making it difficult for the AI bot to actually determine what is a toaster and what is a bunny rabbit. Advocates of this kind of offensive protection say that it will force AI companies to actually pay for licenses to the data they use in their learning models and also sign contracts that could include protections for creatives.
I just think it’s funny.
And for those who are doom and gloom about AI already, I’m not convinced that we’re actually that close to something that can be unleased on the world without human intervention. We definitely already have really good models that will give anyone a fantastic start to any project, but that’s just what it is, a start. Almost anything that is generated from AI can be spotted for its shall we say, peculiarities. Everything I’ve seen so far, whether it’s a piece of writing, visual art, or just silly Instagram memes, if you don’t make any alterations, it’s always just outside of being right. Here are a few examples of how AI is not ready to really think like a human yet.
Yikes!
Hands are apparently hard!
Ummmmm…..
That’s a new definition of too cute to eat!
This is not how I remember the ‘80s.
There’s also a lot of discussion and research about how AI chat bots, which rely purely on large natural language models from social media data and websites without any academic weighting (like giving university research websites priority over the random conspiracy theory websites and Myspace zombie sites) are pretty racist, homophobic, sexist, and all around bad at returning accurate results. The most popular large language models have started really trying to get their hands around the information gaps that have grown from hands off data collection, but we still have a really long way to go before the information beyond an encyclopedia article available from a ChapGPT query is really reliable.
There are many new questions about AI and human creativity that still need to be answered. Just in the publishing and writing world alone, there’s the issues of AI book covers, AI audio book generation (cost vs accessibility?), AI generated or assisted writing, AI editing (some writing programs already have AI assisted developmental and line editing functions – and have for years), allowing AI to choose book publishing trends, AI marketing and advertising, and increasing pressure on writers to produce content faster using AI aides. How we protect the value of human innovation and creativity will define the next hundred years of literature and art. While I’ve got opinions on this as a lawyer, I won’t go too deep into a dissertation right now. If you’re interested, I’d encourage you to read some recently published academic articles about AI, copyright, and international law. Also, if you’re inclined, I’d watch the upcoming lawsuit between The New York Times and OpenAI (the owner of ChatGPT). It’s going to get messy. I’ve already bought a Costco sized box of my favorite popcorn to watch all the proceedings.
So, now that I’ve riffed on ridiculous AI memes for three pages, what I really decided to do for this JANE AUSTEN BLOG was take my own walk down the AI path. Specifically, I played around with asking GhatGPT4.0 to tell me about Jane Austen and her works. Some of the prompts returned just standard Wikipedia level information. Which, to be clear, is SO MUCH BETTER than making up New York case law, but not really interesting for a group of hard-core Janeites. I did try to get it to hallucinate by asking it to give me an essay on “Jane Austen as the First Woman in Space.” This one was kinda funny. I got some pretty flowery language from ChatGPT such as:
“Through this speculative exploration, we delve into the parallels between Austen’s literary legacy and the challenges and triumphs of space exploration, illuminating the timeless relevance of her work in the boundless expanse of the universe.”
And
“Her keen observations and astute characterizations serve as the fuel for literary voyages that transcend time and space. … Austen’s exploration of love and romance transcends earthly boundaries, resonating with readers across time and space. … Whether set in the drawing rooms of Regency England or the far reaches of outer space, Austen’s keen observations of human behavior and societal dynamics remain pertinent across diverse contexts.”
But I believe that the best one was the prompt “write a story about a hippopotamus in the style of Jane Austen.” So, for your entertainment, I present my newest short story (which is not subject to copyright according to the US Copyright Office, as only human creative works can be protected by copyright law). Honestly, I’m not really worried that ChatGPT is going to “take my job” as a writer anytime soon.
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The Hippopotamus of Pemberley
A Tale of Love, Manners, and Unexpected Encounters
By ChatGPT4.0
Chapter 1: A Curious Visitor
In the picturesque countryside of Derbyshire, amidst verdant meadows and rolling hills, stood the grand estate of Pemberley, renowned for its splendor and refinement. It was here, on a fine summer’s day, that the tranquility of Pemberley was disrupted by the arrival of an unexpected visitor—a most peculiar creature, unlike any that had graced its grounds before.
As the sun cast its golden rays upon the estate, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the spirited and discerning daughter of the house, strolled through the lush gardens, her thoughts occupied by matters of the heart and the upcoming social season. Little did she expect to encounter a sight that would defy all expectations—a magnificent hippopotamus, reclining lazily by the glistening waters of the estate’s ornamental lake.
Startled yet intrigued by this curious spectacle, Miss Bennet approached the creature with a mixture of trepidation and fascination. “Goodness gracious!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment. “What manner of beast is this, and how came it to be upon our grounds?”
Chapter 2: An Unlikely Friendship
Meanwhile, in the drawing room of Pemberley, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the proud and enigmatic master of the estate, conversed with his esteemed guests, the Bingleys of Netherfield Park. Their tranquil afternoon was soon disrupted by the commotion outside, as news of the unexpected visitor spread throughout the household.
Curiosity piqued, Mr. Darcy ventured forth to investigate, his brow furrowed with bemusement. As he beheld the sight of Miss Bennet conversing with the peculiar creature, a bemused smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Miss Bennet,” he remarked, “surely this is the most extraordinary sight I have ever beheld upon our grounds.”
With a graceful inclination of her head, Miss Bennet acknowledged Mr. Darcy’s presence, her eyes alight with curiosity. “Indeed, Mr. Darcy,” she replied, “it appears that we have been graced with the presence of a most unexpected guest. Pray, what shall we make of this curious encounter?”
Thus began an unlikely friendship between Miss Bennet and the hippopotamus of Pemberley, as they embarked upon a series of delightful adventures and intellectual pursuits. In the tranquil surroundings of the estate, amidst the beauty of nature and the warmth of friendship, they found solace and companionship in each other’s company.
Chapter 3: A Society Scandal
As news of the hippopotamus’s presence at Pemberley spread throughout the county, it soon became the subject of much speculation and gossip among the local society. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the imperious aunt of Mr. Darcy, was particularly scandalized by the news, viewing the creature as a grave affront to the dignity and decorum of Pemberley.
In a flurry of indignation, Lady Catherine dispatched a letter to Mr. Darcy, demanding an explanation for this outrageous breach of propriety. “I am shocked and dismayed by the scandalous reports that have reached my ears,” she wrote. “It is imperative that you take immediate action to rectify this most egregious situation, lest the reputation of Pemberley be irreparably tarnished.”
Undeterred by Lady Catherine’s censure, Mr. Darcy remained steadfast in his defense of the hippopotamus and his friendship with Miss Bennet. With characteristic resolve and determination, he resolved to confront the prejudices and narrow-mindedness of society, championing the principles of tolerance, acceptance, and compassion.
Chapter 4: A Grand Ball and Unexpected Revelations
In the midst of the social season, Pemberley played host to a grand ball, attended by the most esteemed members of the local society. Amidst the glittering chandeliers and strains of music, the guests mingled and danced with gaiety and abandon, their cares momentarily forgotten in the enchanting ambiance of the occasion.
As the evening wore on, Mr. Darcy found himself engaged in conversation with Miss Bennet, their hearts and minds attuned to each other’s company. Amidst the swirl of dancers and the murmur of conversation, they shared a moment of quiet intimacy, their souls entwined in a bond that transcended the confines of convention and expectation.
In the dimly lit corners of the ballroom, amidst the whispers and murmurs of the assembled guests, secrets were revealed and destinies intertwined. For it was here, in the hallowed halls of Pemberley, that Mr. Darcy declared his love for Miss Bennet, pledging his heart and his hand in marriage, regardless of the obstacles that lay before them.
Chapter 5: A Happy Ending
And so, amidst the splendor of Pemberley and the beauty of the Derbyshire countryside, love triumphed over adversity, and the bonds of friendship endured against all odds. In the tranquil sanctuary of their beloved estate, Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet embarked upon a life of happiness and fulfillment, their hearts united in a love that knew no bounds.
As for the hippopotamus of Pemberley, it remained a cherished symbol of their enduring friendship and the extraordinary adventures they had shared together. Amidst the verdant meadows and glistening waters of the estate, it found a home and a haven, where it could dwell in peace and contentment, a silent witness to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
And so, dear reader, as we bid farewell to the hallowed halls of Pemberley and the beloved characters who dwell therein, let us remember that in the grand tapestry of life, it is love, friendship, and compassion that truly define our existence. And though our journey may be fraught with challenges and obstacles, let us take heart in the knowledge that with courage, perseverance, and the bonds of friendship, we can overcome any adversity and find our own happily ever after.
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