You know, you’d really think movies like Terminator and The Matrix would have taught humanity something. However, the only thing humanity ever seems to learn is to never learn. As a species, we simply do not learn. From past mistakes, reruns of Jackass, from the numerous errors of our history. No wonder we all secretly believe AI will somehow eventually wipe us out harder than the Pipeline shorebreak.
The Robot Overlords are gathering strength.
So here we are; circa 2024 and the reality of artificial intelligence is upon us. Quite incredible really. No longer do we need to type our own essays or slave over artwork nobody is interested in. In the 21st century we just type up a few sentences and hey presto! Thanks to ChatGPT, my teacher won’t know the difference! Except of course, if I can normally barely spell my own name and my grammar is that of a concussed monkey… and suddenly I’m writing like Oscar Wilde? Suspicious.
Photo courtesy of Marc Thoresson.
Sadly though, artificial intelligence isn’t yet able to help beginner surfers master wave riding any quicker. Nor will it help the lazy and/or unfit amongst us to paddle out to the backline quicker. Nor will it help us duck dive massive heavy waves with any degree of elegance. Also, AI is surely unable to prevent any drowning or injuries at the moment.
But just you wait folks! Artificial Intelligence is evolving at such a rapid rate one can expect AI-powered drones picking up hapless surfers from work or slumber when the internet reads surf conditions as optimal. Unbelievable! AI does all the legwork for us! No more hit and miss forecasts, no more being skunked! The giant drones can drop us off at exactly the right surf spot every time AI predicts cooking surf. However… the flip side of this is when AI forecasts the conditions as optimum at 5am. Dutiful surf robots may just pick up passed-out hungover surfers from their oblivious slumber to deposit them spluttering in their soiled pyjama’s at cranking 8 foot Supertubes before they’ve even had their morning constitutional.
What will AI actually do in surfing?! No, really, we’re asking?
Surfers aren’t exactly renowned for their intelligence, artificial or otherwise, but as all know, that is a stereotype of note. As a community, we’re cunning folk and there are many among us who are smart as whips, PHD’s and all. As for artificial, the only thing surfers generally care about when that word is referenced is artificial reefs and/or artificial waves. Nonetheless, neither artificial reefs nor wavepools inspire much excitement in most of us.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-white-toy-robot-on-blue-and-pink-background-8294666/
Artificial Intelligence is a different tangle of optic fibres altogether. However, AI in surfing can produce very little physically. Perhaps apart from 3D shaping the optimal board though? Still, AI can stuff things up just as impressively as humans can. Interestingly enough, AI has already proved just as infallible as humans – and in a surf context nogal. We’re not gonna delve into those stories just yet, but people the world over have bemoaned the fact AI could ruin potentially livelihoods. From what Trident has seen though, AI should do the opposite; people may actually gravitate towards certified humans. Already certain AI-penned articles in famous surfing publications have been written with glaringly obvious lies. Shocking! Bad robot! Bad robot!
ChatGBT, how do I improve my cutbacks?
While artificial intelligence may not actually affect the act of surfing in itself, it certainly will affect those sitting online and asking questions like, “Who is Kelly Slater?” “What is localism?” “What is the perfect surfboard volume for me?” “How do I get better at surfing without actually paddling out and surfing?” “Could the car key of my friend Alan be worked into some kind of ridiculously funny surf-related joke – or not?”
Supposedly ChatGBT and other AI app’s and/or bots could answer these questions pretty well, but Trident has already seen enough errors courtesy of bots to question the integrity of the whole concept.
Type SURF in the Captcha block to prove you’re a local.
Sure, we’re unlikely to see metallic robot surfers paddle out and drop in on actual humans anytime soon. Sure, AI is a long way from individual surfboard shaping tailored to individuals. Indeed, AI in surfing is at best unnecessary – and at worst, stupendously misleading. Right now, all it can do is write a few words here and there. Surfing is notoriously subjective anyway; so, whose opinion, advice, tips, expertise and feedback would you value – a seasoned surfer/shaper? The opinion of some bot made of ones and zeroes, who has no soul apart from what it has distilled from millions of human voices on the interwebs?
Trident knows who’d we betting on.
