The Real Superpower of AI is Cross-Medium Translation and Swapping Priors
Wattenberger · x · 2026-08-08
The author argues that "generative AI" misplaces the focus; the true superpower of AI is actually translation—not just between languages, but across mediums, such as seamlessly converting between sketches, Figma designs, code, and images.
Furthermore, AI performs an inverted form of lossy compression: inflating the input with an understanding of the world using its learned priors. The author raises a fascinating thought experiment: what if we intentionally swap out these priors for a different mindset or culture? Could this trick our brains into a "rubber hand illusion," allowing us to experience the world from someone else's perspective?
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