AI vs. AI
During my internship with the Carbon Agency, I was assigned to write for the company’s blog. Due to the hype surrounding the NBA Finals at the time and with the rising popularity of artificial intelligence, we decided to explore the relationship between basketball and machine automation. More specifically, we looked at the term “AI,” which happens to be shared by maybe the most polarizing entity in basketball history: Allen Iverson.
AI vs. AI
Suppose you Google the letters “A-I”. In that case, you’ll find a plethora of news articles, applications, and buzz around the global phenomenon that has completely changed the way humanity interacts with technology. However, there’s another “AI” that once held a monopoly on those initials, and whose impact may have been on par with or greater than machine learning. Time to step on the court and lace ‘em up, we've got an AI vs AI matchup.
Artificial intelligence is considered by most to be the future of innovation, with some going as far as to compare its potential societal impact to electricity. While none can doubt that an AI revolution is propelling humanity into a new age, some call into question the dangers of a technology capable of changing society as we know it. While some embrace the independently thinking machines, others want absolutely nothing to do with it. For those of previous generations, “AI” meant something completely different. The two letters stood for a change in perception of black and street culture in a racially pivotal time in the US. AI was synonymous with baggy clothes, gaudy jewelry, and a big middle finger to anyone or anything that criticized an embrace of this new change in society. Despite what Google says, to basketball and street culture aficionados, there is only one AI.
The Answer, Allen Iverson.
Allen Iverson was an icon. Everyone who watched basketball knew about AI. Everyone who listened to hip-hop knew about AI. Everyone who ever wore sweatpants with Timberland boots probably wore them because AI wore them. Iverson wasn’t just a basketball savant; he revolutionized black America.
On the court, he won MVPs and scoring titles with his killer crossovers and acrobatic finishes at the rim. Off the court, Iverson represented the streets with his tight cornrows and his embrace of his upbringing in the projects. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer bridged the gap between the NBA’s black fan base and the NBA’s strict, no-nonsense attitude. The NBA wanted their image to be clean cut, and they wanted their players to reflect that; shaven, jacket and tie, fundamental and straightforward on and off the court. Iverson was the opposite. His critics said his tattoos and jewelry too closely resembled ‘gang attire’, and that his headbands and arm sleeves were too flashy. His clothing and accessories were a testament to his play style, which was also criticized by the media for being more akin to streetball than what the NBA was accustomed to.
Much like Iverson, artificial intelligence has had its critics during its short but impactful lifespan to date. As computer technology has developed over the past 75 years, independent machine intelligence has become a pivotal part of our daily lives. The potential of its capabilities is limitless, becoming implemented into professions and technologies that were previously thought to be incapable of being machine-automated. However, as its repertoire of functions increases; the worries about artificial intelligence multiply. If a machine can do a job immediately, faster, and more efficiently, that job will no longer be available for humans. The looming mass implementation of machine automation into the workforce could create a job crisis that could completely change the professional landscape. Amongst this are ethical and security concerns regarding bias and misinformation pertaining to machine-generated content, as well as the looming threat that, eventually, artificial intelligence may be smart enough to go against humanity. While these warmongering job stealing robots ever actually come into fruition is likely just a sci-fi fantasy, the public opinion on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence is worrisome at best.
So if both of the AIs are/were so lambasted and criticized, why are they so revered for their effectiveness and trailblazing capabilities?
Simply, they beat out their predecessors.
When Iverson walked onto an NBA court for the first time in 1996, there were glaring disparities between him and the other players. Not yet donning his iconic cornrows and headband, the then 21-year-old appeared to be dwarfed by his much larger competition. Iverson, the shortest ever 1st overall NBA draft selection, stood at a measly 6’0". The NBA, known as the tall man’s game, didn’t think that a small, shoot-first guard could ever succeed in the league. Iverson proved them all wrong, scoring 30 points in his debut and propelling basketball into a more heliocentric small ball era. Iverson introduced the world to his iconic crossover, paving the way for a new generation of crafty ball skills that are a massive reason for the popularity of the NBA. Iverson’s most famous accomplishment was his crossover that shook Basketball Jesus, Michael Jordan. Despite his lack of size, Iverson overcame his predecessors and is the reason for the success of many smaller players today, like Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry.
Similarly to Iverson, artificial intelligence was able to overcome the efficiency and speed of human laborers and non-automated machinery to become a pivotal application in our modern world. Gone are the days of 100-person production lines and human error; independent machine-operated automation can get the job done faster and for a lower cost. As the ability of artificial intelligence to undertake any feasible tasks increases, the actual necessity for human and non-machine labor in turn decreases. For eons, humanity has been the pinnacle of intelligence, but artificial intelligence appears to be heading in the direction of surpassing us. Perhaps like Iverson, the implementation of artificial intelligence will create new avenues and opportunities that were not yet thought to be of any relevance or use.
A major reason for the worry surrounding artificial intelligence is its ability to create. The human mind is able to reach into its deepest corners and extrapolate even the most outlandish ideas and theories. This used to be an exclusively human trait, but now it is shared with intelligent machinery that might just be able to match our creative ability. It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic and machine-generated content. Artificially generated images have begun to look on par with real, carefully and expertly developed photography. A chatbot can digest video footage and create its own edited copy in significantly less time than manual video editing. It can even generate an original “fake” video that, despite its lack of “real” content, rivals an authentic video’s production and quality. We used to think that the limit was your imagination, but now the limit may be wherever artificial intelligence feels like stopping.
When matching the AIs up against each other, it’s important to find a common ground to compare and contrast them both. It’s not easy putting up a 53-year-old retired basketball player with potentially the most intelligent and creative device ever developed, but we can do our best. Their traits and accomplishments may not necessarily overlap, but both have had their part to play in changing the world.
Gauging their impact.
When understanding Allen Iverson’s impact, we cannot just look at basketball. Sure, The Answer completely changed basketball’s image for the better, but Iverson touched so much more than just the court; off the court, he tapped into the heart of hip-hop and inner city communities. Iverson brought the culture that he originated from onto the screens and pages of mainstream media, implementing his background into his style and play. For the first time, America caught a glimpse into the life and image of a badass-looking young black man from the streets, and they loved it. After Iverson’s introduction to America’s big stage, the mass envy and new acceptance of black street culture swept through the nation. Riding off the hype of hip-hop’s “golden era” with artists like The Notorious B.I.G.Tupac Shakur, Nas, and Jay-Z, Iverson created a national fascination with hip-hop that stemmed into the success of icons like Kanye West, Drake, Lil Wayne, and 50 Cent. Iverson was the first to really embrace the mantra that “athletes wanna be rappers” and did so by becoming possibly the biggest ever conduit between hip-hop and sports. Without Iverson, the national recognition of black and urban entertainers would not have reached the mainstream, which vastly accelerated the de-escalation of racial tensions in the early 90s.
While Iverson’s effect on basketball and American culture is undeniable, artificial intelligence has also had a hand in major shifts in our society. Whether it be alterations to the workforce and the necessity of certain jobs, or its effects on our way of learning and organizing, life has changed significantly since the addition of intelligent machines. Self-driving cars, modern search engines, even the recommendation tabs on Amazon and Netflix would all be unsubstantial without artificial intelligence. Perhaps the biggest change that has come with the development of independently thinking computer systems has been its role in learning and education. Students used to use the internet to find answers to multiple-choice questions, but couldn’t exploit it much further than that. Now chatbots like Open AI’s ChatGPT give expert knowledge at the snap of a finger, making it much easier to obtain knowledge and to educate yourself on topics than ever before. There’s a chance that artificial intelligence could make schools and teachers obsolete. What’s the point in memorizing the Pythagorean Theorem or grammar rules if a machine can easily solve math of any level of difficulty and write a flawless thought thought-provoking essay?
So in summary, Iverson changed American pop culture, and artificial intelligence has changed every part of automation and modern technology. Who cares? The real question we all have is who deserves to be known as “AI”. And that is a stumper. Which is more deserving of the moniker, a trailblazing human that shook up the status quo or possibly the most impressive technical culmination of intelligence and creativity ever seen?
It depends on your generation.
Millennials had the rare privilege of growing up watching the entirety of Iverson’s storied career. They also happened to be the first generation to be groomed with technology at their disposal. Such a rare archetype and blend make them the perfect middle ground pertaining to the knowledge of both AIs. Anyone born after the millennial generation likely does not have the anecdotal experience of watching and experiencing Iverson at his cultural peak. Likewise, anyone born before the millennials does not have the technological prowess or experience to appreciate the applications that artificial intelligence brings to the table. Therefore, your current relation to the name “AI” likely has more to do with your age than whether or not you are a 76ers fan.
As society continues to evolve, artificial intelligence will grow to unlock its full potential.
10 years from now, we will know AI as the function that writes all our emails and drives our cars.
25 years from now, AI will be synonymous with every piece of technology that we interact with.
50 years from now, we may know AI as the thing that spelled the beginning of the end of modern society.
100 years from now, there may only be AI.
One AI is our past, the other is our future.
The more that artificial intelligence continues to change society, the less the impact of Iverson’s accomplishments will be felt. The term “AI” may lose its original meaning, but those who knew of Allen Iverson will forever remember AI as a moniker of change and cultural impact.
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