You might have stopped at the first question, but I think the second question bothered you. Believe me, as an expert, this approach bothers me a lot too. Deep down, I think our expectations are often tied to wanting something like artificial intelligence.
Many people have started using artificial intelligence with technological advancements. Leaving aside the ethical debates about its use in certain areas, it has become a tool that most of us benefit from.
On the recommendation of an expert whose opinions I highly trust, I decided to try ChatGPT, one of the most well-known AI tools. He said, "It's like having two doctoral assistants, but you need to communicate and ask the right questions." So, I thought I'd give it a try.
Although it is often far from originality and not suitable for those seeking emotionally intense life stories beyond database searches, I recently experienced it myself.
The question I asked was exactly this:
Question:
"You are artificial intelligence, and I work in the field of giftedness. Do you think artificial intelligence is superior intelligence?"
Answer:
"Artificial intelligence can be faster and more effective than humans in certain tasks, but this does not mean superior intelligence. Human intelligence is unique in areas such as creative thinking, emotional understanding, and complex social interactions. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, usually makes decisions based on specific data and algorithms. So, there are significant differences between the two types of intelligence. In your field, the depth and complexity of human intelligence far exceed that of artificial intelligence. What do you think, shall we explore another aspect of this topic?"
Question:
"What are the similarities and differences between artificial intelligence and superior intelligence? Include references."
Answer:
The similarities and differences between artificial intelligence (AI) and superior intelligence (SI) can be examined on many levels. Here is a general comparison: (2)
Similarities:
1. Problem-Solving Ability:
Both AI and SI have the ability to solve complex problems. AI does this through specific algorithms and data analysis, while SI approaches it with abstract and creative thinking.
2. Data Processing:
Both types of intelligence rely on information processing capabilities. AI can quickly analyze large datasets, while SI benefits from individual experiences and learning.
Differences:
1. Creativity: SI has the ability to generate new ideas and develop abstract concepts, while AI typically produces results based on existing data.
2. Emotional Intelligence: SI possesses social skills such as emotional understanding and empathy. AI lacks this kind of emotional intelligence and can only analyze emotional data.
3. Learning Process: SI learns through experience, and this learning process evolves over time. AI, on the other hand, learns based on specific algorithms and is generally more limited in its learning.
Here, the parts I highlighted in bold in the first question and in both bold and red in the second question are:
- Creativity,
- Emotional understanding,
- Complex social interactions,
- Empathy and social skills,
- Depth.
On the other hand, these are the topics where gifted individuals are often misunderstood and may face challenges. In schools and the education system, creativity skills are generally not supported and are even pressured to conform to standards. This leads to gifted individuals either conforming or remaining outliers, creating a society filled with gifted individuals of all ages who are either standardized or non-conforming.
Emotional understanding, referred to in the literature as empathy skills and emotional hypersensitivity in gifted individuals, is often the most difficult part to understand and manage. Emotional states that cannot be rationalized are often perceived as tantrums or caprices in the intensity and exhaustion of life. (3)
If experts are not well-versed in the dynamics of giftedness, their interpretations can sometimes fall short. The number of gifted individuals who feel emotionally isolated or are isolated by others is much higher than you might think. In this case, unlike artificial intelligence, this situation creates a perception of problematic individuals who are expected to take what is given, do as told, not think, not question, and ideally not feel.
When complex social interactions are mentioned, peer relationships and social interactions come to the forefront. Gifted individuals who struggle to communicate with their peers, who want to be accepted, and who make great efforts to find and maintain friendships are perceived as individuals with social communication problems if they are not supported and understood. However, they are simply living their norm and facing a majority that struggles to understand them or is unwilling to do so. But when those in the first circle understand, these problems can be resolved easily, though they require time. Many families I work with often raise questions or concerns about social and peer communication.
Therefore, while the system often expects gifted individuals to be like artificial intelligence, our problems move further away from solutions. However, in the case of gifted individuals, who are quite different in their dynamics, "science" should be our compass, and "conscience" should be our map.
See you next week with a new topic, with love...
Dr. Uğur Zat
References:
1. Russell, S., & Norvig, P. (2020). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. Prentice Hall.
2. Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.
3. Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books.
4. Minsky, M. (1986). The Society of Mind. Simon & Schuster.