Welcome to episode 118 of the AI for Technical Writers podcast from Curt Robbins. This educational content is designed to give IT professionals and technical writers a competitive edge.
In this episode, hosts Daphne and Fred review a recent YouTube video suggested by show producer Robbins and provide an overview of a Wall Street Journal interview with historian and author Yuval Noah Harari regarding the societal impact of artificial intelligence (AI).
Harari stresses that AI is fundamentally different from previous human inventions because it operates as an agent capable of independent decision-making, learning, and self-change—unlike traditional tools.
He posits that AI represents the rise of a potential new species that could compete with or replace humanity, describing it as a "digital immigrant" wave that will significantly transform fields like finance, religion, and the job market. This will potentially create a "useless class" of humans.
Harari emphasizes that while AI has immense positive potential, the current lack of human trust and cooperation among societies and nations poses a significant threat, as a competitive human world will only produce a similarly untrustworthy AI.
He concludes by urging society to prioritize solving human problems and acting with integrity, as AI will mirror the behavior of its creators, not just their instructions."
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins.
I am currently taking on new clients. I enjoy helping companies with their documentation and communications strategy and implementation. Contact me to learn about my reasonable rates and fast turnaround. — Curt
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>> Watch the original video: https://tinyurl.com/y3c2e2tf
>> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn
>> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca
>> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z
>> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk
>> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d
>> Join the LinkedIn group Technical Writing Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td
>> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt