How YouTubers are Ruining AI
Introduction:
A recent Vice article unveiled a startling discovery on Amazon's Kindle bestseller list: it was plagued with AI-generated books of complete nonsense. As an AI enthusiast and data analyst, it's disheartening to see the misuse and misinformation surrounding AI on platforms like YouTube. In this blog, we'll delve into the deceptive allure of making money with AI, the rise of faceless channels, and the pitfalls of relying too heavily on AI for coding.
Making Money with AI
Montage of YouTube Hype: "Get Rich Quick with AI"
Let's address the elephant in the room: making money with AI. There's a prevailing notion among YouTubers that you can effortlessly make a fortune with AI. However, let's set the record straight. The AI gold rush is over. This isn't just some opinion; it's a fact grounded in years of experience in data analysis.
As a personal experiment, I tried to sell AI-generated art on Etsy, creating stunning images of African safari animals and using ChatGPT to craft descriptions. I even invested in paid ads. The result? Zilch. It's essential to understand that while setting up AI-based ventures is easy, making money is an entirely different story. AI is not unique; it relies on past data, making it easier for discerning customers to recognize AI-generated content. The result? Genuine artists get lost in the noise.
Remember the NFT craze two years ago? Look at how that panned out.
The Challenge of AI Uniqueness
The crux of the issue lies in the lack of uniqueness in AI-generated content. To build an AI model, you need substantial amounts of historical data. Consequently, AI art and text often exhibit patterns and commonalities that make them seem unoriginal. When the marketplace gets flooded with low-quality, run-of-the-mill AI creations, genuine artists struggle to gain recognition.
Weird YouTube Faceless Channels
Unmasking the Trend: Faceless Channels with Shallow Content
A concerning trend on YouTube is the proliferation of faceless channels. You've probably encountered these channels with clickbait titles and sensationalized content, all designed to rake in big bucks. This is problematic for two reasons:
False Hopes: Vulnerable individuals, desperately in need of income, might believe this is a viable path, offering financial relief without showing their face or even speaking.
Low-Quality, Misleading Content: These channels churn out low-quality, misleading content that lures viewers in with empty promises.
YouTuber Kyle Hill has delved into this issue, revealing the prevalence of AI-driven content in niches like science. It's easy to spot these channels: they employ clickbait titles, stock videos, AI-generated voices, and random arrows in thumbnails. The content often meanders aimlessly, leaving viewers unsatisfied.
Channel References:
YouCurious
VoyagerSpace
futureunity5129
TheSimplySpace
While these channels might not be breaking any rules, it's concerning how effortlessly low-quality, factually inaccurate content can appear legitimate.
Letting AI Code
The Perils of Overreliance: AI as the Sole Coder
As an AI enthusiast, I acknowledge my part in perpetuating this issue. There's a growing misconception that AI can write code entirely by itself. While AI can be a helpful tool for coding, relying solely on it without understanding the code's intricacies is a recipe for disaster.
The essence of coding lies in problem-solving. If you use AI to write code at work, you must grasp what it's doing and why. It's easy to create videos claiming, "ChatGPT wrote an entire game in minutes," but the absence of understanding can lead to trouble if something goes awry.
The Need for Responsible AI Usage
It's disheartening to witness the current state of AI. It has become a buzzword, often misunderstood and misused for monetary gain. It's time for a collective effort to dispel the myths and ensure that AI is used responsibly and knowledgeably. Making money with AI isn't a quick fix, faceless channels mislead viewers, and overreliance on AI for coding can lead to unforeseen problems. Let's hope for a brighter, more informed future for AI.
