Society 2.0: Zack Kass Predicts the Pervasive Influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Our Daily Lives

As we navigate from the intricate realms of AI's technicalities to the societal fabric it intertwines, a crucial shift beckons—one that extends beyond the mere potential of technology. In this dynamic landscape, we must recognise AI's transformative power and acknowledge the profound societal responsibilities accompanying its rapid evolution. The call is resounding for influential figures to play a pivotal role in steering society towards a more inclusive and equitable embrace of AI.

Zack Kass, former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, expressed genuine concern for the impending digital divide: “Adopt this technology. It will dramatically improve your lives, and you will be better positioned to help people around you adopt it effectively and safely."

Scientific pursuit of AI
Kass underscores the scientific essence of AI, propelled by researchers dedicated to fundamentally advancing the world. Emphasising collaboration, he notes that the core pursuit of AI is scientific, with researchers eager to collaborate. Despite acknowledging potential shifts as commercial viability grows, he emphasises the pivotal role of collaboration, citing Google's transformative 2017 paper on transformers as a milestone in modern AI theory.

In tracing the evolution of AI models, Kass highlights the transformative impact of the modern transformer in 2017. The theory of the modern transformer in 2017 made a single argument: that machines should process data in parallel, not in straight lines.

Drawing parallels to how the human brain processes information, he reveals the shift from linear processing to parallelisation significantly enhances the effectiveness of AI models, particularly in tasks like writing.

Moreover, a notable trend emerges in decreasing costs for these advanced AI models, a factor that significantly enhances their commercial viability. Delving into the specifics, the swift reduction in costs from GPT-3 to GPT-4 becomes a poignant illustration of the exponential growth in the commercial accessibility of cutting-edge AI models.

This diminishing cost factor is not merely a financial detail but a pivotal driver in the widespread integration of AI into everyday tools and products.

AI as a utility: A core infrastructure

Looking ahead, Kass envisions a fundamental shift in the role of AI, foreseeing it as a utility comparable to the internet or the power grid. "I think it's going to become a layer of infrastructure that lives at the core of society," he said. This perspective positions AI not merely as a technological tool but as an integral part of the societal fabric, influencing various aspects of human existence.

The landscape is undeniably shifting, as the rising accessibility and affordability of AI models metamorphose them into a pervasive force. Yet, amid the anticipation of the boundless benefits, a critical juncture emerges where we must consciously acknowledge the challenges entwined with this transformative journey.