Letters: AI can't replace the human ability to interpret, judge or care

AI takeover

I read with interest the recent letter warning that automation and AI are taking over. I believe this misunderstands the nature of technology. AI can process information and suggest patterns, but it can’t replace the human ability to interpret, judge or care. 

Used wisely, AI is not a threat to human thought but a tool that extends it – much as calculators did for arithmetic. The real question is not whether AI will think for us, but how we will guide it to serve human purposes intelligently and ethically. What has to be learned is how to use AI in efficient ways. It is a collaborative process, not allowing a machine to think for us.

Edwin Sissons, Southport

Fighting talk

I saw the article about Greta Thunberg and others who are willing to speak publicly about their beliefs and causes. I have been a campaigner within disability for over a decade and when I look back at my CV l feel proud. We need people who are willing to say when something is wrong and speak to society. Many of our human rights were created by people who didn’t accept the world as it was. Could you imagine a world where women couldn’t vote, for example? Or a wheelchair user couldn’t board a train? (Yes, I grant you this is still the case in some areas.) 

For the first time, mutual caring is now part of Cornwall’s carer strategy, something that wasn’t there when I had to be one all those years ago. The holes in our welfare and care provision are as big as they were a decade ago. Maybe if more people spoke about poverty and the care crisis, which everybody ignores, sustainable solutions could be found. Campaign peacefully, and with a wish to make the world better. 

Christopher

Read more:

• Artificial Intelligence is no match for the human heart
• AI skills will soon be as necessary for job seekers as Microsoft Word. Who will be left behind?
• From translators to masseuses: Meet the workers most and least at risk of being replaced by AI

Keep it up

I look forward to reading your magazine every week and attempting the puzzles, not always successfully. But I love to chat to my local vendor, Maria. I was very interested to read about the BillyChip and thought what a great idea it is. I for one would be very happy to buy them to be given out to your fantastic sellers.

To see them standing out in all weathers, usually with a cheery smile and a friendly word, never fails to put a smile on my face.

Keep up the good work. Absolutely invaluable in the present climate, especially with the onset of winter.

Chris Giddings, Kent

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Access all areas

Stamp duty could be cut on accessible homes, which would encourage homeowners to adapt their homes for older age and enable people to stay in their homes for longer as they age. Accessible homes also enable people to come out of hospital quicker, reduce accidents in the home and mean more availability of homes for those that need them. Accessible homes are suitable for everyone.

Michelle Hough, St Agnes

Responses to ‘I fully expect we’ll be performing at Glastonbury’: Tamsin Greig on new punk drama Riot Women 

Absolutely love Riot Women. Best programme on TV.  

Jane Hayward, Facebook 

I would be ridiculously happy if they performed at Glastonbury 2027!!! 

Katie Rose, Facebook 

Great interview, amazing programme.

Amanda Brewer, Facebook 

Loved this series. Women of a certain age dealing with careers, ageing parents, grandchildren and the attitudes of men around them – so real and gritty and funny. I hope there are lots more series to come.

Soon Eye, Facebook

There’s 100s of bands who happen to have become older women who are so badass… anyone into this show, please go watch some local live music!

Tommy Keeling, Facebook

Responses to Ireland’s basic income scheme for artists is being made permanent. Would it work in the UK?

UBI pilots over the world have shown that states investing in their people have some really positive outcomes. With AI stripping 30% of entry-level jobs, UBI seems like a realistic answer to the hopeless financial futures we face.

Boredclaudeparodyclub, Instagram

Absolutely. UBI for all. It goes straight back into the economy. Working people spend to live. The rich hoard.

Rufus_dayglo_art, Instagram

All those years of ‘shame’ where brilliant creatives have to sign on and get forced into looking for crap work. Yeah, I think they would back this.

Gracewoodward, Instagram

I’ve never heard such a load of bollocks in my life. Why on earth should my taxes fund failed musicians, while other people are going out to work a real job to make ends meet?

Paul Sheehan, Facebook

Paul Sheehan: What does a ‘real job’ actually mean? Public service? Hard graft? The arts have been strangled financially for decades. Art/music are skills learnt by hard, persistent graft and are as necessary to a healthy society as adequate housing and clean water. We all have our strengths and need the chance to develop those strengths. Many artists also work part-time, doing jobs that could go to someone else who needs them. I think a UBI should be available to everybody. It would solve a lot of our problems.

Linda Hodges, Facebook

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