this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2024
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Unpopular Opinion

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In the whirlwind of technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) often becomes the scapegoat for broader societal issues. It’s an easy target, a non-human entity that we can blame for job displacement, privacy concerns, and even ethical dilemmas. However, this perspective is not only simplistic but also misdirected.

The crux of the matter isn’t AI itself, but the economic system under which it operates - capitalism. It’s capitalism that dictates the motives behind AI development and deployment. Under this system, AI is primarily used to maximize profits, often at the expense of the workforce and ethical considerations. This profit-driven motive can lead to job losses as companies seek to cut costs, and it can prioritize corporate interests over privacy and fairness.

So, why should we shift our anger from AI to capitalism? Because AI, as a tool, has immense potential to improve lives, solve complex problems, and create new opportunities. It’s the framework of capitalism, with its inherent drive for profit over people, that often warps these potentials into societal challenges.

By focusing our frustrations on capitalism, we advocate for a change in the system that governs AI’s application. We open up a dialogue about how we can harness AI ethically and equitably, ensuring that its benefits are widely distributed rather than concentrated in the hands of a few. We can push for regulations that protect workers, maintain privacy, and ensure AI is used for the public good.

In conclusion, AI is not the enemy; unchecked capitalism is. It’s time we recognize that our anger should not be at the technology that could pave the way for a better future, but at the economic system that shapes how this technology is used.

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[–] A_Very_Big_Fan 0 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Nuclear power is a hell of a lot better for us and the environment than the fossil fuels that Microsoft gets their electricity from today.

AI lets me generate textures and sprites for games in a matter of seconds instead of doing it by hand. Sometimes it can even fix my code in ways I don't even understand. When I'm talking about religion with my friends I can pinpoint several instances of whatever I want to find from any number of holy texts with a handful of key presses instead of years worth of reading or hours of googling. What consequences am I supposed to be feeling?

[–] xantoxis 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

The point is not that nuclear is bad, the point is that microsoft is projecting that the power requirements will only be satisfied by extreme measures.

Sometimes it can even fix my code in ways I don’t even understand

It's kind of incredible that you think this is a good thing.

[–] A_Very_Big_Fan 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Every article I can find says it's about climate harm reduction, not for an increase in the power they will need. Citation needed.

It's kind of incredible that you think this is a good thing.

Right, because grabbing code from Stack Exchange is so much more virtuous. Welcome to programming, you must be new here.

Ask literally any professional and they'll tell you you're gonna learn a lot more by looking at what others have done than you will banging your head against the wall hoping for a eureka moment.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

please just stop writing code. just walk away and find something else to do.

“ai helps me debate religion with my friends” is some real bleak shit

[–] A_Very_Big_Fan 1 points 9 months ago

My friends are exploring other religions and we enjoy learning about them, and I'm not shocked that the mere idea would send an AI hysteric like you into a seethe-fest

If you just wanna piss and moan about software doing it's job, go somewhere else