Ed Zitron's (AI critic) newsletter

[CitricScion]

In the last couple of months I came across Ed Zitron who seems to be one of the few AI critics who is actually following the news and reporting on the unsustainability of AI. I don't necessarily want to assume that everyone on this forum is against AI, but if you're looking for a strong critique of the technology and what will happen with the industry in the short term, I think he's a valuable voice to have in the mix.

One of his latest articles is titled thusly: Anthropic and OpenAI Have Begun The Subprime AI Crisis. He's a big brain boy.

The newsletter: https://www.wheresyoured.at

[Mæstro]

I am categorically against I have variously heard described as a compost heap of linear algebra, a very lucky paper shredder or, most recently, a ‘recycled mashup of Reddit threads and Hallmark leftovers’. The privacy implications are obvious; how they plagiarise in mass and launder social biases is well known. The technology has no reason to exist, except perhaps demonstrating to those who would otherwise miss the point that the Turing test and behaviourism in general are worthless, and I only wish some country or other would ban it firmly to prove to everyone else that something can be done about it. Zitron’s diagnosis is correct. The profit motive and the work ethic are evil and corrupt anything they touch. The cruellest, most miserable souls I have ever met have been, without exception, those who actually believe in scarcity, opportunity cost and the other premises of orthodox economics. Meanness is no way to organise the world.

[Monoki]

In the last couple of months I came across Ed Zitron who seems to be one of the few AI critics who is actually following the news and reporting on the unsustainability of AI. I don't necessarily want to assume that everyone on this forum is against AI, but if you're looking for a strong critique of the technology and what will happen with the industry in the short term, I think he's a valuable voice to have in the mix.

One of his latest articles is titled thusly: Anthropic and OpenAI Have Begun The Subprime AI Crisis. He's a big brain boy.

The newsletter: https://www.wheresyoured.at

I’m definitely critical of AI and its use in my own right. On the one hand, it is a neat toy. On the other, I fail to see its benefits for the long term. I read an article yesterday on the matter and in many ways it sums up my feelings on the matter.

[CitricScion]

Describing it as a toy is apt; that's how I feel as well. Literally, it's like the digital equivalent of a fidget spinner that I mess around with when I need a break from what I'm working on sometimes. And even then it could disappear tomorrow and it would have no affect on me.

I will be curious to see how AI continues after the bubble bursts. This technology has existed for a while, and it gets globbed together to with other areas like machine learning which have been helpful. I guess something will continue afterwards, but hopefully folks will treat as the niche tool that it is rather than insisting that it be used for everything.

[Monoki]

I will be curious to see how AI continues after the bubble bursts. This technology has existed for a while, and it gets globbed together to with other areas like machine learning which have been helpful. I guess something will continue afterwards, but hopefully folks will treat as the niche tool that it is rather than insisting that it be used for everything.

I definitely hope so. Though I do expect for a little while, it’s going to be pushed into anything and everything until the bubble bursts. And thus continuing to push us into an ever accelerating lifestyle I don’t think we’re meant to sustain.

I haven’t really found much of a good use for myself to be honest. For art, music, etc I prefer doing it by my own hand. It’s more rewarding that way even if it might not be the most “profitable” monetarily speaking. Research is the same.
I’ve thought about getting a local model and maybe playing with that. Maybe play a TTRPG with it occasionally or something. Treat it like a pet . But not much else.