Publié : 14 January 2026
Actualisé : 2 weeks ago
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📋 Table of Contents
The Communist Command Line: An Unexpected Ancestor of AI?
If we say “command line,” you might immediately think of the black screens of hackers in movies. But did you know that this concept dates back to an attempt in the 1920s to centralize the Soviet economy? A project called the “Communist Command Line” aimed to steer industry through a centralized communication network, much like a nervous system for the economy. The idea was to collect real-time data to adjust production. A dream of total control that, ironically, foreshadows the massive data collection at the heart of modern AI. The ambition was immense, the technology of the time limited, and the project ultimately failed. But the idea of a centralized management of information made its way.
The Baudot Code: When Communication Becomes Automatic
Before the digital age, there was the Baudot code. Invented in the 19th century, this coding system allowed information to be transmitted via telegraph. Each letter, each number was represented by a combination of electrical signals. Imagine: operators manipulating switches to send messages around the world. A bit like the first tweets, but in Morse. This code laid the foundation for automated data transmission, a concept essential for the development of computer networks and, by extension, AI. The Baudot code is a bit like the ancestor of binary language. And who says binary, says computer. And who says computer, says AI. You see the link?
ChatGPT and the Count: A Story of Language and Probabilities
And ChatGPT in all this? Its name evokes a conversation, an exchange of ideas. But at its core, it is a statistical model that predicts the most likely word following a given sequence. A bit like playing a guessing game with billions of sentences. AI is not aware of what it is saying, it simply imitates the patterns of human language.
So, why the “chat”? Because the goal is to create an illusion of conversation. The AI must appear intelligent, even if it isn’t really. It’s a bit like a magician using sleight of hand to deceive your perception. And it works pretty well, it must be admitted. It’s a language chameleon, capable of adopting different styles and answering complex questions. But make no mistake: behind the veneer of artificial intelligence lies a machine for calculating probabilities.
Tools, Not Oracles
So, should we be afraid of these conversational AIs? Not really. They remain tools, powerful ones, but tools nonetheless. Their ability to generate coherent text can be useful in many areas, from writing articles to creating chatbots. But it is crucial not to give them blind faith. AI can be wrong, invent facts, or relay biases present in the data on which it was trained. Do not see ChatGPT as an oracle that holds the truth. Rather, consider it an assistant, capable of helping you with certain tasks, but who requires human supervision. A bit like an ultra-motivated intern, but who still needs to be guided.
The Legacy of the Past: A Compass for the Future
Let’s go back to our ancestors: the Communist command line, the Baudot code… These innovations, although outdated, have helped shape the current technological landscape. They remind us that AI is not a creation ex nihilo, but the result of a long evolution. By understanding its roots, we can better understand its strengths and limitations. It’s a bit like studying the history of the automobile to understand the challenges of the electric car. The past illuminates the present, and helps us anticipate the future.
So What’s the Next Step?
AI continues to progress at lightning speed. Models are becoming more and more efficient, applications more and more numerous. But it is essential to keep in mind that technology is not an end in itself. It must be at the service of humans, and not the other way around. So how will we use these tools to build a better future? That’s the million-dollar question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ChatGPT really intelligent, or is it just a bluff?
About the author: Fascinated by the technologies of tomorrow, I'm Mickaël Rigaud, your guide to the world of Artificial Intelligence. On my website, iactualite.info, I decipher the innovations shaping our future. Join me to explore the latest AI trends!
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