A Summer Night’s Engagement
On Thursday night, quite warm though it was, the juices were flowing. We were all engaged and equally interested in various topics in our weekly Zoom session.
Steve started the ball rolling by demonstrating some mind-mapping software, Miro, which could generate ideas using AI. First, we watched a video of this in action. Then Steve used the 'free' version of the software to construct a course on photography - what should the topics be and in what order. He could even tailor this to have a certain length or number. This gave me some ideas for projects I'm interested in such as the needs to perform a video tour of Morley Town Hall.
Moving on, Alan mentioned that the magic buzzword for many these days is Collaboration, possibly brought on by Lockdown-Zoom. By sharing a document within a group and allowing for disciplined suggestions, a document can be formulated by sharing it online. Suggestions can be made, and modifications added as appropriate. It has greater appeal than a flurry of emails back and forth. Sharing has become important, and I use it more and more, thanks to the demonstrations I've seen while a member of this group.
Alan also queried the use of hashtags. What do they mean? It was by no means easy to find an answer, but a YouTube video helped. Folk who use Social Media extensively favour it as a means of publicising a social view, a product, or a particular person.
AI returned when Steve showed how ChatGPT, which has a ‘Questions and Answers’ format, can be used in helping to construct ideas for projects. Once more he took his interests of Photography courses and explanation of technical matters. Later I used it myself with profit to explore my interests in Local Heritage.
Since we're all old codgers it's natural that we have some loss of hearing and, once again, Steve showed how this varied with age. Also, some women are more softly spoken than men and this can lead to difficulties in comprehension when talking with them. I wondered if any device could compensate for this difference.
Finally we looked at some group photos on the MCA website after Fred told of his interest in finding a photo from the VE Day parties 1945. As Steve pointed out, making photo galleries online can be a poisoned chalice. It can bring renown to a group or area but it is practically impossible to prevent anyone from copying the photos. Some groups feel they can make more money by publishing booklets of well-chosen and unusual subjects since few are prepared to pay for copiable photos.
The evening showed that the advent of AI is causing mixed emotions. We now know that it can be a useful and valid tool. But the growing worry is uncertainty of future development. Can we control it to prevent it from taking overall control over us? Can one group use it to its advantage and the detriment of others?
