@latenightlinux I listen to you guys to take a break from my day job (AI in drug discovery related). But since you brought it up...AI has made a step improvement in the quality of models to predict properties of potential drugs, but it hasn't revolutionised things....yet. Also, all of ML (machine learning) has been renamed AI even if it predates all this nonsense, so you really need to dig into the details if claims are made that a drug has been found using AI. Anyway, back to Linux...

@latenightlinux “since the atom bomb”

I’m going to start trying to win all my arguments that way.

@latenightlinux I enjoyed this! And I think it's OK you can all disagree. I don't agree in my head. A year ago I called it useless - can't take that stance any more. Nothing is as good at troubleshooting linux, other than a real person, and I don't have one to hand. But your lists of negatives is great Joe, and I may re-use it. It also isn't ALL THAT either. Yes, great at what we know, but as a scientist, it does not know what it hasn't been trained on - that's the purpose of research.

@latenightlinux

Very good episode.

I agree with the premise that "AI" is the worst thing that has happened in the history of tech.

And in general, the tech industry, has become one of the most toxic industries in history.

A good comment was that about the group of fascists behind these "AI" companies. They are damaging the environment, normalising surveillance, locking companies in, stealing IP, scamming the financial industry, just to become billionaires.

@latenightlinux
Interesting takes on both sides. I.mainly side with Joe, although I do understand the points for too.

I think the "are you going to move away from UK because colonialism? No? Then why fight this" argument misses one big thing:
Timing.

Yes, I'm ashamed of colonial Britain and what we did. But how is moving away _now_ going to help?

Whereas AI is now. We can take a stand now! Yes we may be on the "losing" side, but we can still make a moral choice today.

@latenightlinux
You mentioned at the top of the episode that you had to talk about this (presumably because it came from Linus). My personal vote, no you didn't. No one would have cared if you skipped this sorry and to the contrary, it would have been a refreshing break from all the other podcasts in our feeds.

@latenightlinux I thought it was a tedious episode where nothing new was said and it felt pointless as it went round in circles. Shouting and call people fascists isn't really going to add to the debate. I know most people who listen probably disagree with but I'm more aligned with Will and Graham. Though Félim might have accidentally crunched into reverse gear 😜

@latenightlinux I'm in the camp of being ethically opposed to it for all of Joe's reasons but I can't afford to quit my job to get away from it. I wish it was the magical star trek future where computer can be trusted to do complex things at a user's request, but as pointed out in this episode, this technology is being driven and shoved onto us by the absolute worst people in tech and capitalist bullshit and any amazing quality it might have is tainted horribly by that.

@latenightlinux Thank you for this. These are daily discussions at work with the same outcomes.

I'd like to add two things to Joe's list of ethical concerns: 1. In capitalism money is the primary voice of consumers and boycotts can be effective means of change, and 2) Using corporate GenAI essentially means you are training your replacement. These tools are getting better because they learn from your code and your interactions. In my opinion that means you are actively participating.

@latenightlinux I’m on the side of being so sick of hearing about it.