Chapter 1: The Fascination with Dragonflies

For a long time, dragonflies have captivated my interest, particularly in their potential to enhance artificial intelligence. Can insects play a role in refining AI, drones, and transportation? A friend recently shared a compelling video with me that delves into this topic. Let's take a moment to explore it.

About a decade ago, I embarked on an organic farming venture during a summer break while pursuing my associate's degree. I was somewhat unprepared for the challenges ahead.

I was granted free access to five acres of fertile land in Gurnee, Illinois, previously used for farming. Although I had a basic understanding of agriculture, having grown up in rural Nebraska and Illinois where my mother enjoyed gardening, I was eager yet inexperienced. I planted a variety of crops, including some I had never tried before, and discovered a reliable brand of organic fertilizer that I still use today. Initially, everything went well, and I even joined local farmer's markets to sell my produce.

However, as my yield increased, so did the challenges. That year, the area faced drought conditions, and my primary expense became the water I extracted from a metered fire hydrant. As expected, pests soon appeared.

Then came a crisis…

One bright summer morning, I stepped onto my farm to find it swarming with millions of grasshoppers. I realized I was in a precarious situation, lacking a strategy for organic pest control. I had collected some praying mantis egg cases, but they weren't ready to hatch. I felt overwhelmed and started to harvest what I could.

Then, a surprising ally arrived…

By noon, hundreds of dragonflies swooped in above me. They flitted gracefully around my crops, attacking the grasshoppers that threatened my hard work. While they didn't eliminate every pest, the large brown dragonflies significantly salvaged my season. They remained, hunting diligently for weeks, wild and efficient in their task.

This experience deepened my admiration for these incredible flying insects.

Later, I found a new piece of land with a stream running behind the house I rented. I delighted in watching my old friends, the dragonflies, hovering over the water, showcasing a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They were true masters of their environment.

Around this time, I began learning to fly drones and couldn't help but marvel at how much better the dragonflies managed challenging conditions compared to my Mavic 2 Pro.

As discussed in the video by Frances S. Chance, dragonflies offer insights into efficiency at an evolutionary level. We should integrate these natural abilities into technology by design.

The takeaway…

Every creature on our planet has a story to share. Humans often overlook the lessons we can learn from nature, choosing instead to exploit it. We may not fully grasp what we sacrifice in doing so.

Innovations like flying cars and advanced drones are on the horizon, and AI will play a crucial role in these developments. We must remember to consider the wisdom of nature, from birds to bees.

Lately, I've been exploring the realm of artificial intelligence, captivated by its potential. The idea of AI has lingered in my thoughts as I continue writing a fiction book. I'm still crafting that narrative and contemplating how AI can assist me in the process.

Thank you for reading! I encourage you to explore more on this topic…

Chapter 2: Engaging with the AI Discourse

The debate surrounding intelligent computers continues to spark interest and discussion.

The second video showcases bird subject detection autofocus technology and examines its effectiveness on dragonflies, illustrating the intersection of nature and technology.