Those who have been around for a few years, know that most technology innovations go through a common pattern:
- When introduced, there is hype suggesting “this will change everything.” This is often accompanied by panic among users (“rejectors” might be more appropriate) that “this will ruin everything.”
- That is followed by a realization that not everything will change and not everything will be ruined. We realize both the hype and the dread were hyperbole.
- Once we realize the hype is over, we can begin to understand the remaining tool and integrate them into our work.
I do believe we are ready to begin understanding and integrating generative AI. I come to this conclusion because of these observations:
- The blogs, whitepapers, social media posts, and other quickly publishable media and the hyperbole contained in them are less common. This may be because I stopped paying attention, they stopped hyping, or because we are all realizing the growing number of books that clearly articulating rationales and strategies are accurate.
- The tools have been culled. In early 2023, we heard about a great new tool, but before we could start using it, it was gone. I’m getting to the point now where the AI tools I use for my work are getting cluttered with months’ worth of projects.
- Institutions are beginning to study AI. This fall’s conferences have included lots of presentations in which data collected over semesters or academic years are being reported. The hype is being replaced with systematic observation and analysis.
- Institutions are beginning to guide AI. This fall, I drafted a new course that was approved for a program in which I teach. The department chair sent the syllabus back to me as she wanted me to see the additions that are added to all syllabi at the school, and it included one on AI.
In Vermont, we have a saying: “Let’s see how this sugars off.” It typically means we are going to wait to see how things turn out a little later. It comes from our local industry of making maple syrup. We boil large amounts to sap from Acer saccharum (the sugar maple tree) which is basically water with a relatively low sugar content. After the water is boiled off, the maple syrup remains, and it can be of varying quality. (Yes, I can tell the difference between grades of maple syrup based on color and taste.)
AI has sugared off and what remains is good. If you have been waiting for the hype to die down before jumping in. It is time to jump in.