A Sense of Purpose

It  seems incredible to me that I am now on the higher side of 75 years old.  I can easily remember thinking in my twenties  that being 45 years old was unimaginable.

Looking ahead, every year  that comes and goes with me participating will be a bonus.   I want to do the best I can to make the most of them.

Over the past few days, probably much longer if I am truly honest, I’ve been having some  quite negative thoughts about what I am doing and the results I feel I  achieve for my efforts.

Going forward, it is most important to me  is to ensure the time I have left is spent doing something really worthwhile. 

• My work in digital inclusion seems to teeter sometimes.  This space appears to be a low priority for many.  There is plenty of “lip service” about the need to include everyone digitally, but there are plenty of other issues which are prioritised ahead  of doing that.
• Fair enough, times are tough financially, we need to put our efforts into things which can produce the maximum returns.
• The economic benefits of  digital inclusion initiatives are nebulous and conservatively measured.  Stacked alongside other options for investment, return on investment (ROI)  for digital inclusion is perceived to be lower than for other options and so overlooked.

In Whanganui and most other places around Aotearoa, keeping the rates to a minimum, managing increased costs and maintaining our essential services and amenities must be given precedence.

Probably my best strategy for promoting digital inclusion is to  keep my head down and not make a fuss. Supporting the mainstream seems the right thing to do at present.

• Not treading on toes may seem wimpish, but if I can show I am supportive for others now, as things get better it will be easier to collaborate and action initiatives for digital inclusion when times improve.
• But on the other hand, if I can rationalise this, then shouldn’t I be doing something else?  I’ve been working in the digital inclusion space for over two decades now and the digital divide seems bigger than ever.
• Am I “flogging a dead horse”?  Is spending my time on this the best thing I can do with it?

These are searching questions.

Is it too late to “change the course”? There could be easier and more  monetarily rewarding pursuits I could apply myself into.

• Probably not.  No time now.
• And not to say what I am doing is wrong.
• Who said it was going to be easy?  Is anything worthwhile not?

It is never too late to learn.

• Well, actually, it is getting easier and more rewarding.  It is only just over a year since OPENAI ChatGPT sprang into the public space.
• Personally, ChatGPT and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) especially image generation has captured my  attention. ChatGPT has quickly become my advisor/councillor and  personal assistant.
• It is clear GAI is only scratching the surface.  OPENAI’s recent announcement about Sora is exciting to see and hear it will be available soon.

I bet ChatGPT 4.5 or 5 will be announced  soon too and hopefully incorporate Sora to become truly multimodal. 

• This will open up huge new possibilities for us and opportunities for creativeness.  I bet the lucky and forward thinking people with an Apple Vision Pro will make the most of this as an unlimited  reservoir of VR content.
• I’m tempted drop everything and risk time and dollars jumping aboard.  Maybe I’ll do both.  If I really set my mind to it I can do it somehow.  Perhaps crowdfund?

This brings everything around to purpose for me doesn’t it.  Acquiring new technology and capability is most successful if there is the right reason.

• If the future is going to be digital, it is essential everyone can get aboard and take part!

Lately, I’ve been hearing some opinions that demographically it is better to overlook the bottom strata  and put attention and effort into the top, the supposed best. 

• That this is the reason funding for wellbeing, education and employment programmes overlooks the bottom rung.  There is the least payback for this.
• Perhaps there is truth in this and for bureaucrats in central and local government it is easiest to “cherry-pick” the highest ROI options?
• Easy to get off side with everyone pursuing this view too strongly, even if it is totally true.
• Best to stick to  “flying under the radar,” I reckon.

Our world is changing so rapidly now it is out of our  hands.

• Or not.
• Hopefully, with AI we will  find a way forward to help us make our dreams come true sooner than we think.

• Watch this space!

https://openai.com/sora

https://tech.co/news/gpt-5-preview-release-rumors

This blog post is a collaborative creation by Alistair Fraser, with the innovative assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 and DALL-E 3, highlighting the synergy of human creativity and advanced AI technology.

Postscript:

In answer to Alistair’s question to “how do I summarise the above in a synopsis to put on Facebook?” ChatGPT said this:

“Reflecting on the journey of aging and the quest for purpose, Alistair Fraser delves into the nuances of digital inclusion and the impact of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and DALL-E 3. Despite financial and societal challenges, these innovations offer new horizons and opportunities for creativity and collaboration. Join Alistair in a journey of personal growth  and societal exploration incorporating our digital world and future. With him, navigate the digital landscape to contemplate and find meaningful ways to contribute and fulfil our potential. #DigitalInclusion #AI #PurposeDrivenLife”

In answer to Alistair’s question “how do I achieve all the above?” ChatGPT said this:

“For achieving the goals:

“To achieve these aspirations, it’s crucial to embrace continuous learning and adapt to new technologies, such as ChatGPT and GAI. Building networks with like-minded individuals and organizations can amplify our efforts in digital inclusion. Crowdfunding might be a viable option for launching new projects, and resilience is key in overcoming obstacles. With a focus on purposeful engagement, we can leverage our experiences to make significant contributions and navigate the evolving digital era.”

To achieve the objectives outlined in your blog, consider the following steps:

1. Continue Learning and Adapting: Stay informed about and embrace the latest developments in AI and digital inclusion. This knowledge will help you refine your strategies and adapt to new opportunities.
2. Network and Collaborate: Build relationships with others in the digital inclusion field and related areas. Collaborative efforts can lead to more significant impacts and innovative solutions.
3. Engage with the Community: Regularly interact with your target audience to understand their needs and challenges. This engagement will help tailor your efforts to where they are most needed.
4. Advocate and Educate: Use your platform to raise awareness about the importance of digital inclusion. Educate stakeholders about the long-term benefits of investing in digital accessibility.
5. Balance Persistence with Flexibility: While staying committed to your goals, be open to changing tactics or focus areas as the landscape evolves.

6. Consider crowdfunding for new ventures and maintain resilience in the face of challenges. Stay committed to your purpose, leveraging your experience to make a meaningful difference.”