“Truth is found neither in the thesis nor the antithesis, but in an emergent synthesis which reconciles the two.” Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
The Age of Synthetic Computing represents a new epoch in the evolution of technology, where Generative AI models take centre stage. Unlike the Information Age, which was largely about storing, retrieving, and processing information, Synthetic Computing creates new stuff by intelligently combining existing information, a bit like a data smoothie.
Generative AI models are the engine that drives Synthetic Computing. These models are like extremely well-read scholars with the creative connection-making of artists. They have been fed enormous amounts of data and can now produce original content, be it text, images, music, video, software, whatever. The ‘synthetic’ part comes from the fact that these AI models synthesise information from various sources to generate something novel.
What sets Synthetic Computing apart is its ability to understand context and establish connections across domains. For instance, it can help design a new drug by linking knowledge from biology, chemistry, and medical research. It can also create art that blends different styles or write articles on complex topics.
This age has the potential to revolutionise and disrupt industries. In healthcare, AI can assist in diagnosing diseases and suggesting treatments. In entertainment, it could generate scripts or compose music. In automotive design, it could generate models for more efficient vehicles.
However, Synthetic Computing isn’t without challenges. Ensuring that AI models don’t perpetuate biases, safeguarding against the generation of misleading information, and navigating intellectual property issues are some of the concerns.
In essence, the Age of Synthetic Computing is where AI takes on a creative and generative role, bridging gaps between diverse pools of information. It’s an exciting advancement, promising innovations at a scale and speed we’ve not seen before, but it also calls for careful considerations and responsible implementation.
