Your New “AI” App Is Just A UI

Dr Stuart Woolley
The Shortform
Published in
Jun 16, 2023

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The elephant in the room is sitting on an OpenAI API key.

Image generated by the author using Stable Diffusion

You see those thousands of “AI” enabled apps that have appeared on the App Stores of the world?

You see those thousands of “AI” startups promising to “improve your workflow”, “boost your efficiency”, and “reduce the legwork” in your organisation?

You see the vast majority of existing software applications out there that have suddenly become “AI Enabled”?

After you download, install, or update them the first thing they do is ask you for your OpenAI API key.

You know why?

They’re just user interfaces making API keys to OpenAI.
Welcome to the NFTs of “AI”.
Remember them?

Wait a while, let the hype train speed past and wait for the next one lest you become submerged in the banality of the bow wave.

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Dr Stuart Woolley
The Shortform

Worries about the future. Way too involved with software. Likes coffee, maths, and . Would prefer to be in academia. SpaceX, X, and Overwatch fan.