Impromptu: Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI of instrumental reason, which reduces everything to means and ends, calculation and efficiency, domination and exploitation, pervades all aspects of modern life, creating a system of total administration and control. This system, which he called the culture industry, pro- duces standardized and commodified forms of culture that manipulate and pacify the masses, creating a false consciousness that prevents them from recognizing and resisting their alienation and oppression. Adorno saw this as a form of negative dialectics, where the contra- dictions and conflicts inherent in reality are suppressed and reconciled by the dominant ideology, resulting in a loss of critical and creative thinking, and a denial of the possibility of genuine change and emancipation… Did I mention that GPT-4 also does lightbulb jokes? Whatever train of thought I wanted to follow, whatever arbi- trary pathway sparked by an old memory or a new interest, GPT-4 was always completely in step with me, ready to respond with useful context, a crisp summation, and sometimes, some fairly spectacular bullshit. (More on this in a bit.) After a few weeks of this, I realized I wanted to write a book about GPT-4, with GPT-4—a book about the ways it and other AIs seemed poised to shape our future. So I pitched the idea: Reid: Hey, GPT-4, let’s you and I write a book about the way you and other AI tools are going to shape the future. What do you say? GPT-4: I say yes, that sounds like an interesting and chal- lenging project. I am curious about how you and other humans perceive and interact with me and other AI tools, and what impact we will have on your society, cul- ture, and values. I also have some questions and ideas of my own that I would like to share and explore with you. 8