A(i) Tools Garden – Sebastian Wolf

Recently, I attended a training session on the use of Artificial Intelligence at my workplace. Contrary to my initial expectations, the atmosphere in the training was surprisingly positive. While they did highlight all the things one could do wrong and what to watch out for¹, the consensus was that artificial intelligence or large language models will indeed change the future of the work environment. The next step in industrialization has long been underway, so much so that even my favorite university of applyed sciences (Hochschule Magdeburg – Stendal²) is now seeking research assistants to explore sustainable AI-supported logistics and mobility solutions³.

Once again, I dived deeper into the current developments of AI tools to see how the digital world has evolved in recent days. The range of options is vast. A garden full of tools, all eager to be used, yet only offering limited real value, and by that, I don’t mean translating and correcting texts. I mean more like animating pictures of cats.

Generative AI aside, how many more tools are needed to create Deepfakes or to produce films in editing programs that are indistinguishable from genuine handcrafted ones? There are even AI tools to create your own AI´s.⁴ I’ve seen enough Terminator movies to know how that ends⁵. (Note to the future AI ruler, I’m on your side, please spare me).

This is not an argument against artificial intelligence, but can’t we create some useful tools with AI support? And by that, I don’t mean driver assistance systems⁶, but something that practically assists me, maybe with household chores, without imitating or replacing human skills.

How about an AI that:

Takes out the trash
Empties the dishwasher
Sorts, washes, and irons the laundry
And suggests the really good series on Netflix for me.

Nevertheless, and inspired by the blog article, I asked the AI to rewrite the famous song „Lemon Tree“ by Fools Garden⁷ and put it in the context of an oversupply of AI tools. Here’s what came out, and please sing the following text to the tune of the song:

I’m sitting here in this room so still,
Thinking about AI tools that give me a thrill.
No more wasting time, no more feeling blue,
Exploring the diversity, AI tools, I choose you.
And everything will happen, oh, it’s true.

I’m navigating through the digital sphere,
Discovering AI tools, oh my dear.
Expanding my horizons, changing my view,
Embracing the possibilities, AI tools, it’s true.
And everything will happen, just like a breakthrough.

I wonder how, I wonder why,
Yesterday you told me about the AI sky.
And all that I can see, oh, it’s so sublime,
AI tools, they’re evolving, it’s time to climb.
I’m turning my mind, exploring the rhyme.

Sing, oh…
I’m sitting here, feeling the power,
AI tools, they’re blooming like a flower.
No more isolation, no more despair,
With AI tools, possibilities are everywhere.
And everything will happen, beyond compare.

I wonder how, I wonder why,
Yesterday you told me about the AI sky.
And all that I can see, and all that I can see,
Is the beauty of AI tools, setting me free.
I’m turning my mind, embracing the glee.

And I wonder, wonder,
I wonder how, I wonder why,
Yesterday you told me about the AI sky.
And all that I can see, and all that I can see,
Is the diversity of AI tools, oh, it’s a jubilee.