AI was a popular topic back in the day. Maybe the 80s. But then it never really took off.
Now it seems to be talked about constantly again. And this time, they seem to have real accomplishments.
I’m starting to get worried. An actual AI would change things the way that the printing press changed things.
I don't think so. Computers themselves were indeed that significant, but AI is just an evolving capability with these machines.
Machines will never truly "think". They excel at data storage and retrieval, using brute force methods of determining most optimal next move in a card or board game. Machines can be programmed to format output in "human language" ("in 400 feet, turn right onto 2nd avenue").
But, machines will never truly have a sense of humor, or have creativity, or anger, or love, or feel pain or joy. A machine can be programmed to appear to exhibit these things, and it can even be programmed to "learn" how to improve it's ability to exhibit these things. But, while they can be made to convince us that they can think, they're not.