And for my first post on this shiny new blog, I wanted to offer a quick thought on what I see as being the difference.

I live in a small town called Olney in the UK. It’s also ‘home’ to the famous hymn Amazing Grace. 

For those not familiar, Amazing Grace was written by John Newton, a former slave trader after he survived a terrible storm and ship wrecking. His ‘cargo’ of slaves perished but somehow he survived. The song reflects his return to Christianity and faith.

Which made me ponder “Could an AI ever write the next Amazing Grace, or is that the new Turing test”?

I asked chatGPT, and on this occasion I agree with it:

– While AI systems are capable of generating music, they do not have the capacity to experience emotions or have personal experiences that shape their creative output. His personal experiences and emotions are reflected in the song’s lyrics and melody, which are deeply moving to many listeners. It is highly unlikely that an AI system could replicate this level of emotional depth and complexity.

– The cultural context: “Amazing Grace” is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of its time. It emerged out of the evangelical Christian tradition of the late 18th century and was a response to the transatlantic slave trade. The song’s popularity and enduring appeal are due in part to its historical significance and cultural resonance. While an AI system could potentially analyze the cultural and historical context of the time period, it is unlikely to have the same depth of understanding and emotional connection to that context as a human composer.

– The value of human creativity: Finally, it is important to consider the role of human creativity and the value of art created by human beings. While AI systems can generate interesting and novel ideas, they are ultimately limited by their programming and the data they are trained on. Human creativity, on the other hand, is boundless and constantly evolving. “Amazing Grace” is a testament to the power of human creativity and the ability of individuals to create art that touches the hearts and minds of people across generations and cultures. It is unlikely that an AI system could ever truly replicate that level of creative expression and impact. – (chatGPT 2023)

Perhaps this post sums up the difference; AI might offer you a better researched argument. It might write better prose. But never would it have spontaneously, and unprompted, woken up one Bank Holiday morning and posed this question for you to consider. 

Because AI doesn’t have its own motives, or desire to engage you. Yet