Artificial Intelligence

Guy provides listeners with everything they need to know about artificial intelligence, while a guest tries to make it to the studio.

Transcript

Welcome to the one-hundred-and-sixth episode of The Undercover Intern podcast, coming to you live from the centre of London Luton Airport. I'm your host, Guy Snapdragon, and today is Monday the 10th of February 2025.

We are sponsored this week by The Maywentery Golf Course. Welcoming men of all abilities since 1923. I am beyond delighted to announce that the UK’s premier golfing establishment will reopen to male members who have paid their fees, including throughout the force majeure period, just in time for this year’s Barry Chuckle Memorial Valentine’s Day Tournament.

As predicted, we have had some negative feedback about the last episode, and Jim Davidson continues to harass me via various channels. Matthew Churchill from Bury has written in to ask why I don’t have a producer for the show, because I clearly need help with presentation and editing. Well Matthew, you must be a new listener because I do have a producer but I no longer acknowledge him at the end of the show because he’s doing such a poor job. I nearly said ‘swear’ then. Perhaps I’ll put him on air to explain why I again speak to you two inches away from the runway at the fifth busiest airport in the UK? Perhaps he can explain why today’s guest cannot be with us because he didn’t bring his passport and so is, as we speak, detained at security? Robert, do you want to explain why The Undercover Intern podcast is the only major internship podcast where guests have to take off their shoes and belts and go through a scanner before getting to the studio? No, I thought not. Robert, do you want to explain why I promised that The Undercover Intern was going to be a video podcast but that there are no cameras allowed in this studio because of concerns about spying? Robert, I’m talking to you, do you want to explain why you encouraged me to pay 32,000 pounds up-front for this glorified shed in the literal center of an airport that is so far from the literal center of London that I might as well be in Paris? [Gap] No I thought not, and so Matthew Churchill from Bury, this is why it might appear that I do not have a producer.

I have very reluctantly taken the decision to close all correspondence avenues as it’s proving to be an outlet for negativity. If you email undercoverinternguy@gmail.com then your missive will be deleted. I hope this will be temporary, but I’m pretty tired of the likes of Jim Davidson and Mrs. Manley criticising me and this podcast and I will not provide the oxygen of publicity to any of you for the foreseeable future. This includes messages from women who want to be my wife. Frankly, the quality was horrendous, and most of you didn’t even follow my basic instructions.

Today’s show is about artificial intelligence, and whether it’s a threat to interns.

I actually came to today’s show with an open mind and a list of questions for our guest. But our guest isn’t here and so the answer is that yes, artificial intelligence is a threat to interns. To bad interns. To good interns it is an essential productivity tool. There’s a mystique around AI, but it’s just applied statistics, especially the large language models with which most listeners will be familiar. Older listeners might be familiar with the 1970s and 1980s when ATMs were introduced. Did bank teller interns all lose their jobs? Some of the bad ones did. But ATMs enabled banks to develop, and created new opportunities for able bank teller interns, such as in sales. That’s it in a nutshell. AI is good, so stop complaining.

Open quotation. Development is differentiation emerging from generality. It produces increasing diversity. Close quotation. That’s Jane Jacobs who was a lady alive mainly in the 20th century. Here I’ll put this into GPT4 and ask it what this means: [typing, gap] Is it me or is this getting slower? I thought it was supposed to be a productivity tool? I’ve lost my train of thought. … Finally. Quote. OK, it describes urban development as a process akin to biological evolution. Initially, urban environments are homogeneous. Through development, they undergo specialisation and differentiation, leading to a diverse ecosystem of varied functions, structures, and cultures, thereby increasing systemic complexity and adaptability. Some birds will die. End quote [Gap] Maybe the Jane Jacob thing doesn’t mean what I thought it did. AI could probably do my job though, and it would probably be less angry. But then again, AI would not have to travel for three hours and run for a mile in the rain and then dart across a runway before an aeroplane runs him over. Anything to add, Robert? No, I thought not. Could you at least get me some water in here for the next episode, do your job!

What’s that, five minutes? I don’t have any more material for this episode. Should I just read out the questions that I prepared for our guest? Sure why not. I got these from GPT4 too by the way.

Question one: Could you explain how artificial intelligence is currently being integrated into workplace environments, particularly in roles commonly filled by interns? That’s a great question Guy, and it’s something I’m an expert in. Unfortunately I’m not here now, I’m a mile away in the terminal so I cannot answer. That’s OK, I appreciate your honesty. Next, How is AI affecting the availability and nature of internship opportunities across various industries? Same answer as before.

That makes sense, thank you. As AI takes over more routine tasks, what skills should interns focus on developing to remain valuable in the workforce? Same answer as before. If I could maybe rephrase the previous question. Many internships involve handling basic or routine tasks. How can interns make the best use of their time if AI systems are handling these tasks? Same answer as before.

Wonderful. My next question is: Can AI knowledge or proficiency give interns a competitive advantage when seeking employment… Now I’m sure this is a question that your listeners have a particular interest in, Guy…  Sorry, I hadn’t actually finished the question, please be more patient. Let me try again: Can AI knowledge or proficiency give interns a competitive advantage when seeking employment, If so, how?  Now I’m sure this is a question that your listeners have a particular interest in, Guy. But I’m now in a taxi on my way back to London and so cannot answer. Hmmm, OK. What are the ethical implications of using AI in roles typically filled by interns? Are there concerns about displacing early-career opportunities? Same answer as before.

Perhaps we make some predictions next. How do you envision the future of internships evolving with the advancement of AI technologies? Here, let’s ask GPT4. Hurry the fuck up. Here we go, quote I've turned my binoculars towards the future of internships, peering through the thick foliage to spy how AI might transform this fascinating ecosystem. Now, imagine you're out in the wild, AI swoops in like a wise old owl, guiding you with its all-seeing eyes. This technology, you see, could mentor young fledglings, providing real-time feedback and personalized learning paths. Imagine an AI that not only understands what you know but also predicts what skills you'll need to thrive in the ever-changing habitat of modern employment … what’s it going on about, you have GPT4 in Bird mode again, don’t you Robert? 

L:et’s go back to our guest. Does ChatGPT make the existence of intern aliens more, or less, likely? I can’t hear you any more, Guy. OK. My final question. What one piece of advice would you give to someone about to start an internship in an AI-enhanced workplace? Can I just check that you’ll be paying my appearance fee s as I’m stuck in rush-hour traffic now and even though I’ve not appeared on your podcast, I will still be sending you an invoice.

That’s totally fine, please send everything to my silent producer, Robert Barnes. Unfortunately all correspondence is being destroyed, including invoices. Please don’t any of you try to get in touch as The Undercover Intern podcast is temporarily suspending listener participation.. 

I’ve been your host, Guy Snapdragon. Legal support from Michael Webb and Accountancy from Graham Cree. May you use your time wisely, and may your use of wise be timely.


[Distant abuse of producer]