Artificial intelligence is a hot topic right now.
Many shows have been written about the dangers of this new technology.
The Phoebe storyline of Irrational Season 2 Episode 2 sets up a storyline involving artificial intelligence that is more realistic and compelling than most existing storylines.
Irrational Season 2 Episode 2’s Phoebe storyline is a logical extension of her job change
This story fits the logic of what Phoebe is dealing with. At the end of Season 1 of Irrational, she changed jobs to protect her mental health, but she seemed to regret the decision.
She spends much of the second episode bored out of her mind and is eager to get to work when a graduate student asks her to give feedback on a paper.
But the paper was written primarily under her new boss’s name, and no one told Phoebe she would be the ghostwriter. This plot twist is just so uncool.
I’ve done ghostwriting before, and there’s nothing unethical about it if all parties agree beforehand and have a proper contract in place, but there is nothing unethical about tricking someone into participating in the project.
Ironically, a big problem in academia is students using language learning models like ChatGPT to write papers for them, but the paper Phoebe worked on was about using artificial intelligence to improve customer experience.
This is a big departure from most shows, which tend to show characters resisting artificial intelligence or show problems with the technology.
The Irrational’s more balanced view of artificial intelligence fits its brand
It makes sense that Phoebe’s storyline in “Irrational” season 2 episode 2 focused more on human injustice than on issues with technology itself.
Alec’s jam is the way emotions hijack the human brain’s ability to function.
He teaches students about trauma triggers and confirmation bias. These principles not only help them understand how their brains work better, but will hopefully help them make better, more logical decisions in their own lives.
A show with such themes wouldn’t rely on inaccurate TV tropes to tell a story based on fears about artificial intelligence.
Will Phoebe’s storyline in “Irrational” Season 2 Episode 2 address the negative aspects of artificial intelligence?
Although the paper mentioned that AI inadvertently helped Phoebe ghostwrite, this was not the main problem.
The problem here is that Ava and Rachel take advantage of Phoebe’s skills without telling her what they are used for.
However, an analogy can be drawn with the use of artificial intelligence (particularly language learning models), as there are questions about the ethics of using published work to train this technology.
Furthermore, if it comes up in Alec’s class or on a case he’s consulting on, this Police Proceded may explore the negative effects of artificial intelligence, but do so in a more even-handed way than many TV shows have done so far.
AI misuse is a problem in college classrooms, so it makes sense that Alec would have to address it at some point.
He might also point out that because these apps are written by humans, they are subject to the same confirmation bias as we are, and demonstrate that so-called AI detectors often flag human-written text as machine-generated.
This type of course is well within Alec’s purview and will provide a different and much-needed perspective on artificial intelligence, especially if the course is coupled with an interesting case where the technology or its misuse resulted in someone being murder.
I also want Kelly to be involved.
As a computer expert, she may have a lot of knowledge about artificial intelligence applications that most people don’t have.
Kelly’s involvement in this type of story would be an example of the changing dynamic between Kelly and Alec, which Travina Springer tells us will be a big part of the season.
Irrational Season 2 Episode 2 How will Phoebe’s storyline develop in the coming episodes?
The story will likely end with Phoebe returning to Alec’s team.
She was miserable working for another professor, and even though she claimed she needed to get away from him and his mysteries for her own peace of mind, she kept joining in to help Alec.
Learning that Ava used her to help ghostwrite Rachel’s essay may have been the final straw.
Irrational Season 2 Episode 2 finds Phoebe’s story heading towards a final confrontation that forces Phoebe to decide if she wants to work for Rachel again.
I’m very happy. Phoebe’s initial decision to leave was a disappointing exit, and even though she was still a part of the show, it needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
It would be a huge bonus if Phoebe’s storyline in “Irrational” season 2 episode 2 also leads to a balanced story about the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom and business.
It’s time to come up with a character who isn’t just someone who has a problem with technology or hates emerging technology.
Over to you, irrational fanatic! What do you think of this storyline involving artificial intelligence?
Hit the comments with your thoughts.
Irrational airs Tuesdays on NBC at 10/9c and Wednesdays on Peacock.
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