Comment by aylmao

Comment by aylmao 2 days ago

I too think AI is a bubble, and besides the way this recklessness could crash the US economy, there's many other points of criticism to what and how AI is being developed.

But I also understand this is a design and web development company. They're not refusing contracts to build AI that will take people's jobs, or violate copyright, or be used in weapons. They're refusing product marketing contracts; advertising websites, essentially.

This is similar to a bakery next to the OpenAI offices refusing to bake cakes for them. I'll respect the decision, sure, but it very much is an inconsequential self-inflicted wound. It's more amoral to fully pay your federal taxes if you live in the USA for example, considering a good chunk are ultimately used for war, the CIA, NSA, etc, but nobody judges an average US-resident for paying them.

johnnyanmac a day ago

>They're not refusing contracts to build AI that will take people's jobs, or violate copyright, or be used in weapons.

They very well might be. Websites can be made to promote a variety of activity.

>This is similar to a bakery next to the OpenAI offices refusing to bake cakes for them

That's not what "marketing" is. This is OpenAI coming to your firm and saying "I need you to make a poster saying AI is the best thing since Jesus Christ". That very much will reflect on you and the industry at large as you create something you don't believe in.

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aylmao a day ago

> They very well might be. Websites can be made to promote a variety of activity.
This is disingenuous and inflamatory, and a manichaeist attitude I very much see in rich western nations for some reason. I wrote about this in another comment: it's sets people off on a moral crusade that is always against the players but rarely against the system. I wish more people in these countries would channel this discomfort as general disdain for the neoliberal free-market of which we're all victims, not just specifically AI as one of many examples.
The problem isn't AI. The problem is a system where new technology means millions fearing poverty. Or one where profits, regardless of industry, matter more than sustainability. Or one where rich players can buy their way around the law— in this case copyright law for example. AI is just the latest in a series of products, companies, characters, etc. that will keep abusing an unfair system.
IMO over-focusing on small moral cursades against specific players like this and not the game as a whole is a distraction bound to always bring disappointment, and bound to keep moral players at a disadvantage constantly second-guessing themselves.

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- johnnyanmac a day ago
  
  >This is disingenuous and inflamatory
  I fail to see how. Why would I not hold some personal responsibility for what I built?
  Its actually pretty anti-western to have that mindset since that's usually something that pops up in collectivist societies.
  >it's sets people off on a moral crusade that is always against the players but rarely against the system.
  If you contribute to the system you are part of the system. You may not be "the problem" but you don't get guilt absolved for fanning the flames of a fire you didn't start.
  I'm not suggesting any punishment for enablers. But guilt is inevitable in some people over this, especially those proud of their work.
  >I wish more people in these countries would channel this discomfort as general disdain for the neoliberal free-market of which we're all victims,
  I can and do.
  >The problem isn't AI. The problem is a system where new technology means millions fearing poverty.
  Sure. Doesn't mean AI isn't also a problem. We're not a singlethreaded being. We can criticize the symptoms and attack the source.
  >over-focusing on small moral cursades against specific players like this and not the game as a whole is a distraction bound to always bring disappointment
  I don't disagree. But the topic at hand is about AI, and talking about politics here is the only thing that gets nastier. I have other forums to cover that (since HN loves to flag politics here) and other IRL outlets to contribute to the community here.
  Doesn't mean I also can't chastise how utterly sold out this community can be on AI.
  
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