A lot of AI enabled violence and harm has come to pass but I have to say I did not expect the public to reject AI at this level nor did I see how fast the momentum against data centers would build. Neither did the companies. Scrambling
Effective Altruists scaled the ideology among AI researchers using crypto $. At one point, EA civil society was worth $40b. Rest of civil society is hopeful for IPO donations. Together these normalize a lot of sci fi ideas via cog biases capturing resources + attention from reality-based governance.
How can I share in progress work with people if it is work I would not want put in an LLM. What kinds of thinking or creativity are accelerated while what kinds are thwarted? And more interestingly, what kinds of new forms will work need to take pushing new sociotech frictions?
Two ads to consider together in the context of AI marketing and the power of belief. First is for the controversial note taking AI gizmo pocket that records your conversations, possibly illegally. Next one in thread.
Companies are like: Hey teach this AI agent how to do your job! For funsies only, we swear. Heard two stories this week from friends this actually happened to. Its a mess in many ways. AI agents really can't do these jobs, but workers are expected to make it work, so they are in trouble either way.
Look to San Francisco, home of the tech booms & AI labs, to see how the febrile AI sector benefits ripple out to communities. My local CVS locks up the frequently shoplifted items: ramen noodles, baby formula, canned food. Rent for a 1bdrm apt nearby is $6500.
I've been talking with friends about the recent viral videos of students booing commencement speakers who bring up AI. So far they have all shared that their Bay Area teens and college students refuse to use AI. I think their critical lens on AI is born from their social media skepticism
Effective Altruism is ramping up social media influencing for their ideology as... effective use of $ to fear monger for future lives saved in speculative fictitious futures but there is an EA event in SF every 3 days or so: picnics, walks, parties. Imagine the $ once Anthropic stocks are cashed out
2 signs in the Bay Area capture different kinds of anger at AI tools, consequences & forms of community education. Swanky neighborhood sign's AI is optional, harming others, call to action is read more. The other sign's AI is for jailing, control, fear. It warns for safety. AI hits different.
Meanwhile in San Francisco: What do we want? AI Safety! When do we want it? Whenever you get around to it after we cash out our stock options!
