OpenAI has a new web page, which they call a Trust Portal for the OpenAI API. They are trying to assure everyone, especially EU citizens and lawyers everywhere, essentially that they will keep keep their mouths shut and not leak your private information.
Note images here are all by me, Losey, and Midjourney. As always, they attempt to convey the emotional, sensory metadata underlying this blog.
OpenAI goes on to say that this new web is “your gateway to understanding our unwavering commitment to data security, privacy, and compliance.” A great way for you to access OpenAI’s “comprehensive compliance documentation, find answers to frequently asked questions related to security and privacy, and explore our robust security practices.” Then, in even more PR type GTP predictable language, if that is even possible, OpenAI assures everyone that this new information resource is all “part of the company’s ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and build customer trust.”
Uh, huh, sure. I guess it is a start. So enough talk, show me. They say that they shush everyone good, but prove it. Turns out that is easier said than done. In fact, I am still waiting as this blog will explain.
OpenAI then goes on with the buzz words to say how terribly concerned the company is about maintaining the confidentiality of customer data. (Where is Sam Altman now? Still trying to keep the EU from shutting him down due to Europe’s litany of privacy concerns?) Open AI wants their customers to “feel confident” in their abilities. Yada yada – very predictable — obviously not written for lawyers and other privacy experts. Doubt the EU politicians will buy this puff stuff either. Then, without even a hint of irony, OpenAI discloses the names of some of their big corporate customers. Of course, no law firms are mentioned.
After all the marketing hype, Open AI finally shows links to many serious looking privacy papers, cybersecurity related documents and other hard facts. But the links are all dead. Again, without even a hint of irony or self-awareness, OpenAI makes it impossible to access any of these documents without first filling out an online disclosure form. Not only that, you must first click to agree to their self-serving agreements and lengthy disclaimer forms. Here is what it looks like.
Select…
So I did that. I gave up my personal information and clicked the links. There were not one, but four documents you are supposed to review and agree to. I opened one of them, the Terms of Service Agreement of Safebase (I don’t really know who or what that is). I do know the agreement is 6,009 words long. I did not read it, but I had my computer count the words. I also had my computer count the number of words in Open AI’s Privacy Policy – 2,382 words. Who has time to read all that? Ok, if you pay me, I will happily read all four of them. Otherwise, like everyone else, no.
So far, the actions required by the user in this webpage directly contradict the hype. This form and thousands of pages of click agreements are more like a roadblock, not a “gateway” to maintain transparency and build customer trust.” I signed anyway, but with a growing level of mistrust, not trust. But wait, it gets even worse.
OpenAI instantly rejected my first submission of a request for access to documents, which is the whole purpose of this Security Portal. The application I filled out was rejected automatically and instantly, because I provided them with my personal email account. That’s what it told me. Oh no, none of that. It made me submit my work email address. How did it even know that about me? That the address I submitted, a gmail account, was personal and not business? Like a good, compliant worker drone I changed my answers on their form and provided my work email address. And voila! This time the form request instantly went through. A message popped up saying my request for access had been received, but access was still not granted. Oh no. Instead, I was told I would be notified after my request for access had been considered.
In the meantime, none of the links are live. There is nothing more to see here. Move along. If I am ever granted access to the OpenAI’s Trust Portal, then maybe I’ll write a part two, maybe. Till then I have nothing more to say. Try it out and see for yourself. By the way, in case you are not sure, these last two images are in the style of Picasso.
Social Progression in the Age of Personal Computers, a Necessity for Survival. Can Ai save the day? Explained by ChatGPT, from it’s perspective, with prompt engineering, quality control and some minor contributions by all-too-human, Ralph Losey. All images prepared by Dall-E 2 and Losey.
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Introduction
This article will provide an overview of Ralph Losey’s vision of social transformation in the age of computers. He believes we must progress from an information-based society, which was triggered by personal computers, to a knowledge and wisdom-based society. He argues this transition is required to combat the dangers of misinformation and manipulation. AI and other related technologies are, in his view, the key to this transition. If we fail to go beyond our current information culture, the results may be catastrophic.
Over the past generation, computers and the internet have brought about a seismic shift in the world. The rise of personal computing has created a wealth of information previously unimaginable, while the internet has made it possible to share this information easily. This sudden abundance of information is a two-edged sword. While it has brought many benefits, information alone can be dangerous, very dangerous. To truly manage and control the flood of information, we need knowledge and ultimately wisdom.
We must become more thoughtful and knowledgeable to handle the information explosion. Education is critical in this effort. We cannot simply ignore or undo the information age; the genie is out of the bottle. We must quickly become knowledge-based, embracing the goal of personal and collective wisdom to ensure our survival and success as a society. We need to transform from superficially informed individuals with short attention spans, to thoughtful and knowledgeable people who can navigate the complexities of our world. With the right focus and commitment, we can harness the power of computers, Ai and the internet to achieve a brighter future.
Information → Knowledge → Wisdom
The Information → Knowledge → Wisdom theory posits that a technological society progresses in three stages. The first stage is gathering information, which involves collecting raw data from sources like books, websites, and personal experiences. The next stage is transforming this information into knowledge by analyzing and interpreting it to gain a deeper understanding. The ultimate goal is to achieve wisdom, which requires applying our knowledge in a way that is both ethical and effective.
The theory of Information → Knowledge → Wisdom offers a perspective on the profound cultural changes brought about by computer technology. It stresses the significance of critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation in converting raw information into real knowledge. By employing these skills, individuals and society as a whole can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world, and utilize that knowledge to enhance our lives and, ultimately, preserve our planet.
Failure to swiftly advance towards a knowledge and wisdom-based society could result in being overwhelmed by the flood of unprocessed and inaccurate information. By embracing knowledge and wisdom, we can navigate the intricate and ever-evolving world of the digital age and create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.
Danger of Information Without Knowledge and Wisdom
The risk of not moving towards a knowledge and wisdom based society from an information-based culture is the potential for large segments of society to be easily manipulated by false information and lies. When people lack the ability to analyze and interpret information, they become vulnerable to false information, leading to poor decisions and negative consequences such as the breakdown of democracy and justice, as well as issues like inequality and discrimination.
Moreover, the widespread use of technology has made it simpler for people to spread misinformation and propaganda. This can have a severe impact on society, eroding trust in institutions and creating social unrest.
To counteract these dangers, it is critical to stress the significance of progressing from an information-based culture to one that is knowledge and wisdom-based. This requires teaching critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as promoting values like ethics, morality, and common decency. By doing so, we can create a more informed and responsible society that is better prepared to navigate the intricacies of the modern world. Ralph Losey believes that AI is the key to achieving this goal, transitioning from raw information to knowledge and wisdom.
Child’s View Summary
To put the Information → Knowledge → Wisdom theory in simple, child-like terms, and, in Losey’s opinion , so capture its essence, consider this summary.
Information is when we learn new things like reading a book or watching a video. Knowledge is when we use our brains to understand what we learned and remember it. Wisdom is when we make good choices using our knowledge and thinking about what is right and wrong.
It’s important to use our knowledge and wisdom because if we don’t, we might believe things that aren’t true and make bad choices. This can cause problems for ourselves and other people. By using our knowledge and wisdom, we can make good choices and help others too. Ai can help us to do that.
Wisdom is the Ultimate Goal of the Personal Computer Revolution – Not Information, Not Knowledge
The first step in the progression towards a mature society is Information, but it is not the ultimate goal. The transition to a Knowledge-based culture is expected to occur first, in the next fifteen years. However, knowledge alone is also not enough, as an academic world of specialized know-it-alls is also dangerous. This was not the original vision of the first generation of hackers, led by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who aimed to change the world through personal computers. Jobs’ travels and personal experiences with psychedelics led him to see the potential for personal computers to serve a higher purpose. He recognized the importance of wisdom, having come to terms with death and the meaning of life. Jobs, Wozniak, and other computer enthusiasts worldwide saw computers as a tool for personal use, including for games, art, and education. The business aspect of computers only became dominant later.
Quoting the well-known Stanford commence speech of Steve Jobs in 2005 provides more insights into the wisdom goal:
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Steve Jobs, 2005
The goal of any advanced civilization is Wisdom, not Knowledge. Living your life with awareness and understanding of your own mortality. Living your life with joy, with flow. Just ask Socrates, who boasted of knowing Nothing (as he had transcended that and phased into Wisdom), and the ancient Greeks. They still exemplify our understanding of high culture in the West. In the East just ask Buddha or Lao Tzu. In fact, consult any of the great wisdom traditions, the great religions. It is not enough in any wisdom tradition to know, we must use this knowledge for both personal happiness and the advancement of all Mankind, indeed, for the benefit of all life on Earth.
That is Wisdom – knowledge converted to beneficial action. This is essentially the Zen-like philosophy of Steve Jobs and many others like him. It is not a vision of amassing knowledge, which is often just the dogma generated by another person. It is the wisdom to follow your own inner voice.
Again to quote Job’s commencement speech at Stanford in 2005:
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
[T]hat all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Declaration of Independence
To be continued. Part Two of this two-part blog is coming soon. Part two will include poetry and well known quotes of T.S. Eliot (1885-1965), who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948. He also mused on the idea of information to knowledge to wisdom.
A short poem by ChatGPT, as engineered and quality controlled by all-too-human, Ralph Losey. Ralph prompted the Ai to generate a simple rhyming poem that summarizes the fourteen Principles of The Sedona Conference®. These are, in Ralph’s opinion, good words for anyone to remember and live by in the field of electronic evidence.
Richard Braman (1953-2014) founded The Sedona Conference® in 1997. Before that he was a top litigator in San Francisco and Minneapolis where he also owned and operated a jazz club, Gabriel’s. For that reason, I feel certain he would smile at this essay using jazz images to describe the essence of the Sedona Principles that he loved so dearly.
Article written by Open AI’s ChatGPT with all-too-human prompt engineering by Ralph Losey. Hat’s off to ChatGPT-Plus for the excellent jazz-based images and writing. All images by Dall-E and Losey.
In the realm of electronic discovery, a certain rhythm permeates the airwaves, one that resonates with the pulse of jazz music. A harmonious interplay between those who seek information and those who hold it, creates an intriguing melody that’s both enchanting and demanding. The rules that govern this space are like the musical notes that make up a tune, essential to the experience of the listener, the same way that following the right protocol is essential to the seeker’s success.
In this jazz-infused world, the importance of electronic information is akin to the fundamental nature of a rhythm section in a jazz ensemble. Just as the bass, drums, and piano are integral to the musicality of jazz, electronic data is vital to modern life. Its significance is such that it must be carefully tended to, given the same consideration as any other kind of data.
When a seeker is searching for electronic data, they must adopt a musician’s mentality, avoiding excessive requests that sound like dissonant notes in a melody. Their goal should be to play a smooth tune, one that strikes the right chords, avoiding notes that don’t fit. Just as a jazz musician must be aware of their musical costs, a seeker must consider the expenses of pursuing information, keeping in mind the value of the information that is sought.
Just like a jazz band, those who seek and those who hold electronic data must work together in a harmonious exchange. A melody is only successful when everyone plays their part, just like a search for electronic data can only be accomplished with cooperation between parties. A clear and concise request from the seeker must be met with a reply that’s just as clear, like a musician playing a melody that’s understandable to their audience.
In this jazz world of electronic discovery, keeping data secure is like a trumpet player protecting their prized instrument. It’s the responsibility of the data owner to ensure that the data is safeguarded, but they don’t have to keep every single piece of data. Like a jazz musician who only keeps the essential notes to make a melody work, a data owner must protect what is necessary while disregarding what isn’t.
In the event of a dispute, it’s important to have proof, just like a jazz musician who has to demonstrate their musical chops on stage. To prove a point, it’s necessary to play the right notes, and in electronic discovery, it’s crucial to present the right data. The seeker should start by looking in the most accessible places, just like a musician who looks for the right melody in the most obvious places.
If data has been deleted or hard to find, it’s not essential to search for it unless there’s a good reason. Like a jazz musician who only plays what is necessary, the seeker must focus on what’s important to the case at hand. Privacy is another significant concern in this world, like a jazz musician who has to play with a level of restraint to maintain their musical dignity.
In the world of electronic discovery, there are tools that are available to aid in the search for data, just like a jazz musician who uses instruments to create their musical sound. These tools are designed to simplify the process and streamline it, much like a musician who uses new technology to create new sounds.
When data is shared, it should be presented in a way that’s easily understood, like a jazz musician who communicates their musical ideas to their listeners. The data owner is responsible for paying for the safekeeping and sharing of the data, much like a jazz promoter who takes care of the musical instruments and ensures that the performance runs smoothly.
In conclusion, the world of electronic discovery is like a jazz composition, with each player fulfilling a vital role. The right notes, played at the right time, create a melody that’s pleasing to the ears. Similarly, following the right protocols and rules in electronic discovery ensures a successful outcome. Like a jazz musician who respects the music and the other musicians on stage, those who seek and those who hold electronic data must work together with respect and integrity. Only then can the music of electronic discovery be played in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful sound that’s worthy of applause.
Ralph Losey is a Friend of AI with over 740,000 LLM Tokens, Writer, Commentator, Journalist, Lawyer, Arbitrator, Special Master, and Practicing Attorney as a partner in LOSEY PLLC. Losey is a high tech oriented law firm started by Ralph's son, Adam Losey. We handle major "bet the company" type litigation, special tech projects, deals, IP of all kinds all over the world, plus other tricky litigation problems all over the U.S. For more details of Ralph's background, Click Here
All opinions expressed here are his own, and not those of his firm or clients. No legal advice is provided on this web and should not be construed as such.
Ralph has long been a leader of the world's tech lawyers. He has presented at hundreds of legal conferences and CLEs around the world. Ralph has written over two million words on e-discovery and tech-law subjects, including seven books.
Ralph has been involved with computers, software, legal hacking and the law since 1980. Ralph has the highest peer AV rating as a lawyer and was selected as a Best Lawyer in America in four categories: Commercial Litigation; E-Discovery and Information Management Law; Information Technology Law; and, Employment Law - Management.
Ralph is the proud father of two children, Eva Losey Grossman, and Adam Losey, a lawyer with incredible litigation and cyber expertise (married to another cyber expert lawyer, Catherine Losey), and best of all, husband since 1973 to Molly Friedman Losey, a mental health counselor in Winter Park.
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