“If someone said AI will kill us all, don’t listen to them,” as Yann LeCun – Meta Chief AI Scientist says. His statement is an opposing view with the current trend of Generative AI being developed here and there. So, why are we here? Generative AI is categorized as an artificial algorithm capable of generating new content (text, image, video, etc.) from existing data. It responds to prompts we provide, significantly helping and assisting many businesses compete with others. This technology allows anyone, anywhere, to leverage AI to solve complex problems in seconds. The boom of Generative AI surely leads us to relying on artificial models doing repetitive or administrative tasks, exploring new ideas, and even shortening our time in decision making. Now, everyone has been on this narrative train since. The narrative about Generative AI as the new machine learning system is used in many industries and believed to boost technology use and digital innovation are mostly true, but is it worth the long run? While some believe training AI on vast amounts of data is the key to holistic real-world understanding, Yann LeCun, in his book "AI Business," argues it's a roundabout approach. He highlights the near impossibility for AI to replicate human knowledge acquisition through experience and pre-existing skills. Unlike us, AI currently lacks the ability to interact and learn from others in the real world, remaining confined to the virtual. LeCun presents a contrasting view to the mainstream tech industry. He envisions a future where AI acts as a powerful assistant across all aspects of business, but not as its creator. He emphasizes the need for machines that can truly understand the world, possessing capabilities like memory, reasoning, and planning – aspects that current large language models (LLMs) lack. The main problem for industries that heavily implement AI systems is the fear of collaborating with AI in the real world. This fear stems from a misconception that AI and human ideas are inherently separate. Science fiction tropes of robot domination often fuel these anxieties, but such a scenario is highly unlikely. According to Yann LeCun in Wired, while generative AI offers benefits, its current focus might be unsustainable. He suggests that generative AI could become obsolete if viewed solely as a threat. LeCun warns that companies solely focused on incorporating generative AI into products, without considering its evolving capabilities, risk business failure. This is because their innovations might lack the real-world understanding that surpasses human comprehension. He also added that a full-scale of companies and tech initiatives need to be planned in the future, in order to have a diverse set of systems where AI can be used as a bridge between humanity and amplifying intelligence for innovation. Based on his argument, the key for innovative companies lies in embracing non-generative AI as an early step towards an integrated future. By developing or utilizing AI that dismantles language barriers, companies can streamline business expansion into new countries and cultures. Now, the decision is yours. Are you still riding the Generative AI wave, or is it time to explore non-generative AI, as LeCun anticipates? Sources: - AI Business: Meta’s Yann LeCun Wants to Ditch Generative AI - Google Cloud: Generate text, images, code, and more with Google Cloud AI - JP Morgan: Is generative AI a game changer? - Wired: How Not to Be Stupid About AI, With Yann LeCun