As an angler plans their weekend trip in 2023, the chances are they'll start with a smartphone rather than rummage in the garage. tapping and swiping at a screen, the weather and water levels are carefully checked, while a day ticket is not only bought at a click but brings up a venue map with a list of recent catches and going tactics.
It's hardly the plot for I, Robot, admittedly. But are we simply reaping the rewards of tech, or heading down a long and slippery slope? After all, whether it comes to photo editing or harvesting our data, the power of AI is staggering and still only in its infancy.
THE TECH DEVELOPMENT IN CARP FISHING IS IMPRESSIVE. CHECK OUT THESE BEST BITE ALARMS.
RESULTS OVER MYSTERY
Among the boldest uses of AI in fishing so far is via apps, such as FishBrain and FishBuddy. Not only can these correlate conditions and log catches, but many aim to predict peak bite times and key methods.
But how much can they offer the angler and how far could they progress?
Tellingly, while Angling Times readers have strong opinions on AI, it was very difficult to get any human response to our enquiries from the actual apps! And while stacks of us now use these to check weather, river levels and other variables, there was far greater scepticism about tech that harvests out data or makes predictions.
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"There's all sorts anglers can do already, whether it's using Google Earth or studying conditions," said Angling Times' own techie, Online Editor Chris Haydon.
"For now, the biggest benefits are in lake mapping and swim booking. I'm not sure how reliable the 'best bite times' apps are. Ultimately, they rely on data - and many anglers don't want to share their secrets or locations!
"Fish are also wild creatures that do random things AI will never predict. How many times have you sat there thinking there's no chance, and then a bite suddenly comes?"
Given the secrecy of anglers, getting sufficient data has been the biggest barrier so far.
Interestingly, some users have even been logging fake reports on apps, to mislead others and keep their favourite spots secret.
But what if AI becomes more and more accurate? The tech will increasingly get better at mining sources like Facebook and Instagram, for example. but to what end?
Are super-accurate predictions to forensic-level fishery info healthy for a sport that thrives on mystery?
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IT'S HERE RIGHT NOW
The truth about AI in fishing is that it's already present in our tech-addicted daily lives.
Artificial content creation is another contentious area, with Chat GPT and other tools able to pull information on any subject and "generate human-like text".
AI is already widely used to sell products and tap into things we search for online, not to mention writing a spookily convincing account of an Angling Times 70th birthday bash that never existed! Either that or we drank too much.
While current AI content-making tools are far from perfect, however, there are already worrying signs. First and foremost, new technology already has a bad habit of spreading misinformation or favouring unreliable sources.
Take a simple angling question or theme, such as best baits for carp, for example. AI will harvest an answer from the sources at its disposal, favouring what is popular, paid for by advertisers or readily available, rather than what is true.
The internet has aided wild conspiracies about global warming, to take one wider example, even though 99 per sent of the world's scientists are unanimous that it is real.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ANGLING IN THIS ARTICLE.
DEEP FAKES AND HARD TRUTHS
Besides the risk of putting human intelligence out of a job, the other risk of AI is that the more it dominates our information sources, the harder it becomes to verify what is true and accurate. Take record fish. We are already at a stage where super-realistic "deep fake" imagery can be created.
"AI could take fake reports and information to the next level!" said Chris Haydon.
"One of the benefits of neutral, human media, like Angling Times is that we try to verify every catch as much as possible. Does the venue have a history of big fish? Were there any witnesses?
"While ultimately cheats are only fooling themselves, we could end up in a situation where a record fish is a complete fabrication."
Make no mistake, then, while we're still relatively early in the journey, AI is already present and powerful. The part neither man nor machine can predict is how far it will develop, but without disappearing down a Matrix-style wormhole, we all have a choice. Do we want a world of privacy and human agency? Or are we happy for big data and vast corporations to dictate our habits - and even our hobbies?
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AI IN ANGLING’S KEY AREAS
ADVANCED PREDICTION MODELS
Using vast amounts of information gleaned from anglers, could computers give us scarily accurate predictions about our fishing? Everything from moon phases to atmospheric pressure could be mapped. So far, the biggest barrier is getting data from anglers.
ADVANCED 3D MAPPING AND SCANNING
Could AI-led scanning soon join us on the bank? How about a drone-mounted scanner, or fish finders that not only tell us about depths, temperatures and locations, but alert us to activity levels and probabilities of success?
NEXT LEVEL FISHERY MANAGEMENT
One clear benefit of intelligent, automated systems and monitoring is in helping our fisheries. Award-winners Windermere, Ambleside and District AA now have aerators that automatically switch on when required! Could AI help with aspects such as pollutants, stock levels and even predation?
ARTIFICIALLY WRITTEN ARTICLES AND DIGITAL CONTENT
Could we get to a stage where AI will write articles, dispensing advice and information at a click? It’s already started – although we can assure you that Des Taylor is not a cyborg.
AI ASSISTED IMAGERY AND DEEP FAKES
Could we be on the cusp of a new era when seeing is no longer believing? AI editing programmes can already conjure up images that defy reality! Will it reach a stage where big fish images are simple to fake?
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