Messages to humans from our robot overlords: knowledge, culture, university, community, exchange

With thanks to the author, editor and proofreader, Hannah Retallick, for the title of this blog series. 

In another life, Hannah is part of my team of virtual assistants. Her unenviable task is to help me focus each morning and do the essential business admin that I'd otherwise forget. 

Image was ai generated in Canva

This week I attended an online workshop at the International Creative Research Methods Conference. It was about the use of generative ai in qualitative data analysis. It was led by Christina Silver and sparked many thoughts I have yet to process. 

It also sparked idle curiosity. What would happen if I gave the same prompt to four different versions of (free) ai? What kind of biases might be implicit? Do they all have a similar bias?

I thought I'd start with five words that are significant for PinkGold Ltd and ask the versions of ai to write me a paragraph. 

Here's what I got. I added the bold because I got lost in the verbage and wanted to make words stand out that I thought were significant. I have include a comment in a box below each one. 

Canva MagicWrite

Universities serve as vibrant hubs where knowledge and culture intersect, fostering a rich community of intellectual exchange. Within their walls, diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff come together, each contributing unique perspectives and experiences. This confluence of ideas and backgrounds creates a dynamic environment that encourages learning beyond textbooks. Cultural events, academic discussions, and collaborative projects are just a few ways through which knowledge is shared and expanded. The university setting not only promotes the accumulation of academic knowledge but also cultivates a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures, preparing individuals to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Community is only mentioned in relation to the university and occurs ‘within their walls’. However, it does recognise cultural exchange within the university can equip those in the university to thrive outside it. 

 

Claude.ai

Universities serve as vibrant hubs where knowledge and culture intersect, fostering a unique community of diverse minds. Within these academic environments, students and faculty engage in a constant exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This intellectual cross-pollination not only enhances individual learning but also contributes to the broader cultural fabric of society. As students from various backgrounds come together, they create a microcosm of global society, where different worldviews coalesce and new understandings emerge. Through this dynamic interplay of knowledge sharing and cultural exchange, universities play a crucial role in shaping informed, empathetic citizens who are well-equipped to address the complex challenges of our interconnected world.

Community is within the university, but with the explicit purpose of students taking their new understandings into the wider world as ‘empathetic citizens’.

 

Copilot

At the heart of every university lies a vibrant community where knowledge and culture intertwine seamlessly. Students and faculty engage in a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering an environment that celebrates diversity and intellectual growth. This exchange not only broadens perspectives but also enriches the cultural fabric of the university, creating a space where everyone can learn from one another and contribute to a shared understanding of the world.

And another where community only relates to the university.

 

ChatGPT

At the heart of every vibrant university lies a rich exchange of knowledge and culture that fuels both academic and personal growth within the community. Students and faculty engage in dynamic conversations, blending diverse perspectives and experiences that enhance their understanding of the world. This interplay of ideas not only broadens individual horizons but also strengthens the collective fabric of the university, fostering an environment where innovation and empathy thrive. Through cultural events, collaborative research, and open dialogue, the university becomes a microcosm of global interconnectedness, where the synergy of knowledge and cultural diversity creates a thriving academic community.

Oh look! And another that only talks about community within the university. So similar in wording and yet so far removed from the Claude.ai where the purpose is a thriving global community.

 

Take-away message for humans

Given the same prompts, the different robot overlords will deliver overlapping wordings – but with very different messages at their heart.

Three out of four reference community solely within the university.

Only one recognises the role of the university in the community beyond its walls.

Enjoy playing with ai - but remember, the robot overlords may not have our best interests at heart...

If you've got ideas for other prompts to do with universities, research, coproduction, knowledge mobilisation and similar - drop a comment below and I'll see what I can do.