chiaboy t1_j7ivw24 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 2:48 AM

Reply to comment by jlaw54 in [N] Google: An Important Next Step On Our AI Journey by EducationalCicada

Most of these “indications” are poorly sourced commentary, out of context internal docs, and absolute (or convient) ignorance re the space, it’s history, and Google’s work therein.

Go back and look at the articles. Very little actual indications Google is “scrambling” they’ve been thinking deeply about this space for longer than most folks have heard about it.

Among many other related asides, there aren’t many global (or even US) comprehensive AI rules. However Google has issued white papers and has lobby heavily for thoughtful regulation. Google not recklessly following the current AI-hype train doesn’t read to me that they were caught flat footed. Anything but.

But the headlines are catchy

opticd t1_j7jnou3 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 7:16 AM

This is probably the most thoughtful take I’ve read in this. People forget how tilted the mainstream media is against big tech.

jlaw54 t1_j7j1k33 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 3:32 AM

I agree with threads of what you are saying here.

That said, I think they were “prepared” for this in a very theoretical and abstract sense. I don’t think they were running around like fools at google hq aimlessly.

But that doesn’t mean it didn’t inherently create a shock to their system in real terms. Both can have some truth. Humans trend towards black and white absolutes, when the ground truth is most often grey.

chiaboy t1_j7j2bwp wrote on February 7, 2023 at 3:38 AM

I agree.

They weren’t shocked per se, however clearly OAI is on their radar.

Not entirely unlike during COVID when Xoom taught most Americans about web conferencing. Arguably good for the entire space, but the company in the public imagination probably didn’t deserve all the accolades.

So the question for Google and other responsible AI companies, is how to capitalize on the consumer awareness/adoption, but do it in a way that acknowledges the real constraints (that OAI are less concerned with). MSFT is all ready running into some of those constraints viz the partnership (interesting to see Sataya get over his skis a little. That’s not his usual MO).