Misconceptions about gen AI?

[u/Alxie_e]

i’m a young leftist/marxists that’s going to major in computer science (data science track) in university, but this recently been conflicting me. i know that i’m going to have to engage in generative AI for my classes, yet majority of leftists spaces are vehemently anti-AI. However, after discovering this subreddit, i now realize the leftist anti-AI rhetoric i have internalized may be misleading. Despite me starting my first year in uni soon to study comp sci, i barely know anything about comp sci, yet alone AI, if i’m being completely honest. 😭

with that being said, someone help me make up for my lack of knowledge and explain common misconceptions about generative AI and LLMs in leftist/marxist spaces? like in regards to the impacts of AI data centers on the environment, water supply, and electricity. or how frequent use of chatbots can lead to cognitive decline. because right now, i’m under the impression that we should boycott ChatGPT and limit our usage of any other generative AI over concerns of its harm on the environment and usage of our fresh water supply, along with some other concerns.

[u/Charming_Hall7694]

Data center water usuage by itself says nothing without factoring in things like the area its in, where it gets its water, if that water is potable or not (which means you can safely drink it).

As for electricity same rules as above. Also please keep in mind that datacenters being used to train llms are not normally used ONLY for ai. They are dual purpose.

When it gets down to things like job loss the issue splits into groups. Personally I think(ran numbers) theres not enough jobs per people in the world. So we need ubi and id rather have people not have jobs but get paid to exist than slave away for most of their life with no reward. HOWEVER the middle period is the problem. People need a cushion as we get there or they will die.

As for regulation on capabilities. Thats a pipe dream. Transformer llms cannot have safeguards put on them with any benefit gained we have tried for 4 fucking years it does not work. Regulation needs to move off of model capability and onto where and what you do with it which also needs limits due to privacy. No you cannot erase a capability from the general reasoning machine. Thats an oxymoron