Good morning:.

In the Northeast we are expecting stormy weather over the next few days, though forecasters seem to be disagreeing over its severity.  This group must have taken lessons from those hired to predict markets as predictions there range from warnings to get into the lifeboats (due to bond market concerns) to assessments that the sky is clear with continued, strong, economic growth keeping us safe from harm. And inflation? That’s just a speed bump.

Two articles … both included below … really grabbed my thoughts this morning … as they have to do with our interaction with AI … as usage grows exponentially.

When you use AI … do you use phrases such as “please” … and do you find yourself increasingly impatient with responses that are incomplete and may need further prompting?  Or have you realized that a quick request … with no friendliness at all … will also give you the answer you are looking for (or something close) … so why bother with the friendly banter? It just wastes time.

It seems that that the more we use AI … treating it like a “machine” … will eventually find its way into how we treat others in a society in which we already have started to witness fewer instances of politeness … which used to be second nature.  My point here is how noticeable it is … to me at least … at local stores or even the university where I lecture … where people enter a building and keep walking quicky … never considering holding the door or keep it open for the person behind them.  And the response from someone who asks for directions?  Instead of hearing a “thank you” a grunt or turn of the head is more likely.  I just wonder … are we treating people like machines or machines like we now treat people?  Either way is a step backwards.

The last article below was the subject of a conversation I had with a friend … and analyst … who commented that the argument against Flock camera is silly … as we’ve voluntarily given up our privacy long ago.

Well, he certainly has a point.

We are all guilty of going to websites and when faced with a button to accept what is written in the 72,000-word disclaimer, freely click away … gifting our privacy and who knows what else because we are, as always, in a rush.

But the situation is worse when it comes to AI.

Personal questions and conversations you have with your new “friend” is used for training … and now is out in the world. Yesterday, I was joking around with a companion in my car and asked “Grok” if I could marry my dog.  I then realized that if I decide to run for public office in a few years some “election ad” will, no doubt, ask if me and Fido are now man and wife.

By the way … we’re not.  We are just friends.

Sorry to say … but we’ve given up privacy a long time ago and just refuse to admit it.

That’s if for now … I have to run

… my Roomba is staring at me.

Have a great day,

Joseph G. Witthohn, CFA

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