MATTAPOISETT —  Curious guests walked into the Mattapoisett Library skeptical of emerging artificial intelligence technologies but after a presentation by Therapy Gardens speaker Dave Wheeler, they walked out knowing a little more about what the future holds. 

The presentation held at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Tuesday, July 18 was intended to give an older audience  a basic understanding of technology like chat bots, deep fakes and especially artificial intelligence.

Wheeler described artificial intelligence as a software that “does what a human could do.” One example of artificial intelligence is a “deep fake,” said Wheeler. 

A deep fake is a piece of visual media digitally manipulated by an artificial intelligence to overlay one person’s face, voice or other feature over that of another person. 

Some examples Wheeler gave of tasks that artificial intelligence can perform include creating a name for a company or finding the perfect book to meet your preferences. 

“There are so many things out there now that are adapting to your own personal taste,” said Wheeler.

Many audience members raised concerns about artificial intelligence.

“I am afraid of the technology,” said Kathleen Reed. “I think that it is really dangerous, from what I’ve heard and what I’ve read, I don’t think it's great.”

Wheeler validated the audience's concerns stating that artificial intelligence could potentially eliminate jobs in a variety of fields including customer service, law and writing. 

“We created this stuff,” he said. “So I think we contain it and control it, I believe in us, but some people don't.”

However, Wheeler noted that artificial intelligence tools such as the software ChatGPT can also be used as a tool to help people do their jobs. For example, Wheeler stated that a contractor could enter a prompt into ChatGPT to create a construction material list complete with prices in a matter of seconds.

“[Artificial intelligence] can perform tasks that humans can do, better,” he said.

Audience members gasped as a three course menu, complete with recipes for each item and prices appeared on Wheeler’s screen. The menu was created by an artificial intelligence. 

“I think this technology is going to make driven, smart, motivated people even more driven, more smart and more motivated,” said Wheeler.