Being curious regarding the current presumption of “AI” (artificial intelligence) taking over report writing in schools, writing in general and its potential to continue evolving in its analytical capability I felt it was necessary to ask ChatGPT a few questions.

The first question I asked was: “is Federal Way a great place to live?”

ChatGPT response: Federal Way, Washington is a city located in King County, approximately midway between Seattle and Tacoma. It has a population of approximately 96,000 people and is known for its diverse communities, parks, and recreational opportunities.

As an AI language model, I do not have personal experiences, emotions or preferences, but I can provide you with some general information about the city.

Federal Way has a relatively high cost of living compared to other cities in Washington State, but it also has a strong economy and a wide range of job opportunities, particularly in healthcare, education, and retail industries.

The city is also home to several parks and recreational areas, including Dash Point State Park, Steel Lake Park, and Celebration Park, which offer hiking trails, playgrounds, and sports fields. In addition, Federal Way has several shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

The city’s public schools are operated by the Federal Way Public Schools District, which includes 39 schools and serves approximately 23,000 students. The district has received mixed reviews, but there are several private schools in the area as well.

Overall, Federal Way has its pros and cons like any other city, and whether it is a great place to live or not depends on individual preferences and circumstances. It is recommended to do thorough research, visit the city and its neighborhoods, and talk to locals to get a better understanding of whether it is the right fit for you.

My next question: “What do you think that Federal Way’s prospects for growth look like?”

ChatGPT response: As an AI language model, I cannot predict the future with certainty, but I can provide some information on the current trends and factors that may impact Federal Way’s prospects for growth.

Federal Way has experienced steady population growth over the past few years, with an estimated population increase of 6.7% from 2010 to 2020. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by factors such as job opportunities, its location between Seattle and Tacoma, and its diverse communities.

The city has several development projects in the works, including the redevelopment of the former Weyerhaeuser headquarters into a mixed-use development, which is expected to bring new businesses and residents to the area.

In addition, the city has made efforts to attract and retain businesses, particularly in the healthcare and technology sectors, through incentives and partnerships with local organizations. The city’s location and transportation infrastructure, including access to major highways and the Sound Transit Light Rail system, also make it an attractive option for businesses and residents.

However, like any other city, Federal Way also faces challenges that may impact its prospects for growth, such as the availability and affordability of housing, transportation congestion, and competition with neighboring cities for businesses and residents.

Overall, Federal Way’s prospects for growth appear positive, but it will depend on various factors such as the local and regional economy, infrastructure investments, and city policies and initiatives.

Last question asked was: “Are Federal Way’s efforts to reduce homelessness working?”

Chat GPT response: Federal Way, like many other cities across the United States, is facing challenges related to homelessness. The city has implemented several initiatives and programs to address this issue, but the effectiveness of these efforts is a matter of ongoing debate and evaluation.

One of the city’s main initiatives is the Federal Way Day Center, which provides services such as showers, laundry, and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness. The center also serves as a hub for other homeless services and resources, such as medical care and employment assistance. The city has also partnered with local organizations to provide affordable housing and other support services to those in need.

While these initiatives have had some success in helping individuals experiencing homelessness, the overall impact on reducing homelessness in Federal Way has been limited. The city’s homeless population has increased in recent years, and there are ongoing concerns about the lack of affordable housing and the availability of mental health and substance abuse services.

In addition, there are differing opinions on how best to address homelessness, with some advocating for a focus on affordable housing and supportive services, while others argue for stricter enforcement of laws related to homelessness and panhandling.

Overall, while Federal Way’s efforts to reduce homelessness have had some success, the issue remains a complex and ongoing challenge. The city and its partners continue to work on new initiatives and programs to address the root causes of homelessness and provide support and resources to those in need.

All plausible answers even if ChatGPT got our form of city government wrong. It should have been “strong mayor-council,” but the information provided has a logical correctness. There is no nuanced understanding, critical thinking, or solution suggestively — yet.

For the past fifty-years or more we have slowly been entering the world of science fiction becoming reality. We need to realize that a lot of bright minds have created this evolving and improving artificial intelligence reality – but what are the programmer’s values? At present, we think of AI as a partner when we sit down at a computer and the software that has AI capability, corrects our mistakes, suggests alternative language, solves our math problems, but that is beginning to change.

ChatGPT and other AI programs are increasing in their capability to alleviate intellectual drudgery tasks and jobs. Quick writing draft – done. A few questions and your research – done. But is it what was needed? Are the results in our collective best interest or biased by the values of the programmers?

AI is on the cusp of challenging human kind’s critical thinking skills at a time when our collective ignorance of reality, ethics and factualness is growing. The world is beginning its journey into a future of “life imitating the art of science fiction” and the questions we need to be asking ourselves are: “Are we ready and what are the consequences if we are not?”

Keith Livingston is a retired municipal management professional, lifelong artist and Federal Way resident. He can be reached at keithlivingstondesign@gmail.com.