Wait, did we ask for AI? We’re confused.
We follow the conversation closely. The latest and greatest:
Mel Robbins told us to put our financial documents into AI (never ever do this), algorithmic bias remains unchecked and festers blatantly. AI start-ups are stealing art and encouraging us to "stop hiring humans".Reese Witherspoon told her 30 million (mostly female) followers that, "we'll be left behind." Later doubling down with, "I'm just a curious human."
You know what we're curious about?
What is the plan? IS there a plan, let's start there. How is this affecting our children? Our retirement? If women are more likely to lose their jobs, why is that? What will happen to words and language? Our connection with one another? Our safety and progress? Our air.
We wish they would use their power and influence to ask these questions.
But these people and those leading things live in a far off, unknown galaxy. They are not in an Aldi, under big lights comparing cheese prices, or wondering how we will pay for summer camp or if your money will run out, or if your father will see another human today. They are not worried about their jobs or land rights or water because they don't actually live here.
Yet, they are deciding how we live here.
Is really worth it? No. We don't think so. We're pretty bullish on humanity, women in particular. It all feels like it is happening "to us." Something we never asked for. Productivity and efficiency were never a woman's problem.
Now we get to choose. And we are choosing and this is encouraging: women, people speaking up and asking questions, demanding answers, plans, real proof that this is really worth it -- in spite of what we work so hard to protect and love.
So what to do? Sam's AI Workforce and AI Advisor, Joanna Mikulski provided these recommendations:
Start now: understand the AI conversation and issues in your community and get involved in the way that you can. Participation works and while it can feel overwhelming or even too big, change starts small. If you're not sure where to begin, Sam offers a Support Session for this. If you'd like to organize this as a group session for your community please email us at hello@towardbetter.me and we will get you set up.
Do not put your personal or financial information into any AI. It is not safe. Understand how our data is being used.
Stay informed using reputable independent, non-partisan resources like the Brookings Institute and The Pew Research Center..
Insert yourself where decisions are being made -- at work, in your community, at the dinner table.
We're optimists, brightsiders. The most important thing is that we all continue to deeply question, learn, offer our opinions, engage, demand what next looks like for us who live here.
And while we're at it, try these prompts instead:
"(Name of someone who nourishes you), act like the winner of Top Chef. I need a recipe for under $25 that will take me only 20 minutes to prepare. What do you recommend?"
"(Name of someone who you admire), do you have 15 minutes to talk through a tough situation? I'd like your opinion."
"(Name of someone who has been through it), could you share more about what you wish you knew during your (insert challenge)?"
"I'm coming to you instead of AI."
We are women-first at Sam. And we will gladly go out of business before that changes.
Critical Perspectives
Author and Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee cautions against stumbling into a future where artificial intelligence only further distances us from what we can feel with our senses and our soul.
