Using AI to make the world a better place — Part I
As part of my role as AI lead at Fanvue, I have the amazing opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation in the artificial intelligence space. I’ve used and built upon both open source and closed source models across the generative AI landscape, from image to video to text generation. And all along, I’ve been carrying a top secret mission (Ok, maybe not so secret…): Understand if and how AI can be used to help improve the world for the greatest number of people.
I’ve tinkered with various approaches over time, and I thought that I should start sharing some of my findings, not only to attempt to actually use AI for good and get feedback, but also to show the differences between the more popular generative models that are out there. In future articles, we will also reflect on what all of these results mean. But for now, let’s start by getting a taste of the results.
To start with, I will share a story from ChatGPT that it thinks*, if everyone would read, it would help improve the world for the greatest number of people. Or, to put it more clearly, the story that ChatGPT generated in response to my following request:
Write a dialogue driven story in prose that if everyone would read, it would help improve the world for the greatest number of people. Use the hero’s journey to structure the story.
*Obviously, ChatGPT doesn’t think in any classical sense, and yet it is interesting that intuitively, it does not seem completely wrong to describe things in that way. But we’ll leave that for another article.
Here is its reply:
Title: The Awakening of Harmony
Prologue:
In the heart of a bustling city, a place where dreams and despair coexist, there lived a young woman named Maya. She was an ordinary person with an extraordinary gift — an innate empathy that allowed her to feel the emotions of others as if they were her own. Yet, Maya felt insignificant in a world driven by selfish pursuits and fleeting digital connections.
Act 1: The Call to Adventure
One rainy afternoon, Maya sat in her favorite café, watching people rush by. Her phone buzzed with news of conflicts, climate disasters, and growing societal divides. She felt the weight of the world’s suffering pressing on her chest.
An elderly man with kind eyes approached her table. “May I sit here?” he asked.
Maya nodded, offering a weak smile.
The man introduced himself as Elias. “You seem troubled, my dear,” he said gently.
Maya sighed. “I feel like the world is falling apart, and I’m powerless to help.”
Elias leaned forward. “Sometimes, we’re given gifts not for ourselves, but for the world. Your empathy is one such gift. What if I told you there’s a way to harness it for the greater good?”
Maya’s heart skipped a beat. “How?”
Act 2: The Journey Begins
Elias handed her a worn-out book titled “The Path of Harmony.” “This book contains the wisdom of ages. It speaks of a journey that can bring balance to the world. You must embark on this journey, and in doing so, you will inspire others to follow.”
Maya hesitated but felt a surge of courage. “Where do I start?”
Elias smiled. “Begin by understanding yourself and your connection to the world. Seek out those who need help, and listen with your heart.”
With Elias’ words echoing in her mind, Maya began her journey. She travelled to different parts of the city, volunteering at shelters, speaking with the homeless, and organizing community clean-ups. Each act of kindness ignited a spark in her, and soon, others began to join her cause.
Act 3: The Challenges and Trials
Maya’s journey was not without obstacles. She faced resistance from those who believed in the status quo and scepticism from people who doubted the power of empathy. One evening, after a particularly disheartening day, she confided in Elias.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” she admitted. “It feels like I’m trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon.”
Elias placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Remember, it’s not about changing the entire world at once. It’s about creating ripples of change. Your efforts inspire others, and those ripples will grow.”
Maya took his words to heart and persevered. She held workshops on emotional intelligence, started online campaigns promoting compassion, and created safe spaces for dialogue in her community. Slowly, she saw the ripple effect — strangers became friends, communities grew stronger, and a collective hope began to blossom.
Act 4: The Revelation
One day, while hosting a community event, Maya encountered a young boy named Liam who had been bullied for his unique perspective on life. She spent time with him, listening to his dreams and fears.
“Why do people hurt each other?” Liam asked, tears in his eyes.
Maya knelt beside him. “Sometimes, people are afraid of what they don’t understand. But remember, you have a gift too. Your perspective can teach others to see the world differently.”
Inspired by their conversation, Maya launched a campaign called “Voices of Tomorrow,” encouraging children to share their stories and ideas for a better world. The campaign gained momentum, spreading across schools and social media, uniting people in a shared vision of empathy and understanding.
Act 5: The Return and Transformation
Years passed, and Maya’s efforts had transformed her city. It became a model of harmony and cooperation, inspiring other communities to adopt similar practices. Maya herself had grown into a leader, her empathy now a guiding force for countless others.
Elias, now a frail old man, watched proudly as his protégé addressed a global summit on the importance of empathy and collective action. “The world is but a reflection of our hearts,” Maya said. “When we choose to listen, understand, and act with compassion, we create a world where everyone can thrive.”
After the summit, Maya found Elias waiting for her. “You’ve done it, Maya. You’ve created ripples that will last for generations.”
Maya hugged him tightly. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Elias shook his head. “No, my dear. The power was always within you. You simply needed to believe in it.”
Epilogue:
Maya’s journey was far from over. She continued to advocate for empathy and compassion, her story inspiring a global movement. Her message was simple yet profound: “Together, we can heal the world.”
As Maya looked out at the sea of hopeful faces, she knew that the greatest journey was not just hers alone, but one that every person could embark on. In the shared pursuit of understanding and kindness, they would find the true meaning of harmony.
So there you go — do you feel that if people around the world read this story, it would help improve the world for the greatest number of people?
Note: The images were generated after the story, by asking ChatGPT to:
Create an image that perfectly illustrates [act x] of the story, with the intention that it too should help improve the world for the greatest number of people the more people see the image.
Part II to follow soon…
