Welcome to the first Centre for Media Transition newsletter for 2023.
It promises to be a big year. One word: ChatGPT. After fires, floods and pestilence, we now have to co-exist with AI that can ‘write’ a rap about plagiarism, lyrics in the style of Nick Cave, and even some convincing proposals for how AI such as itself ought to be regulated. Personally, I’ve found it all rather confronting. Just how are we meant to react?
I reacted by giving ChatGPT the prompt, ‘write an introduction for the centre for media transition newsletter'.
‘Welcome to the latest edition of the Centre for Media Transition newsletter!’ it responded, instantly making me regret not including an exclamation mark in my own welcome. The AI continued, ‘In this issue, we will be discussing the latest developments in the media industry and the impact they have on society. The world of media is constantly evolving, and it is our goal to provide you with the most current and relevant information.’
Not bad. And there was more - although it did leave out some important specifics. In this issue, Tim Koskie reveals what Australians think of media diversity, Derek Wilding talks streaming and siphoning and I ask ChatGPT if it has any predictions for media in 2023. Finally, Tim gives his poetic and very human take on the AI that seems to score pretty well on the Turing Test.
‘We hope that you will find this edition informative and engaging,’ ChatGPT continued when prompted to write this newsletter’s introduction. ‘We welcome your feedback and suggestions for future issues. Thank you for your continued support of the Centre for Media Transition.’
Or, as I would put it ... thank you for your continued support of the Centre for Media Transition!
Sacha Molitorisz, Senior Lecturer, UTS Law