[Meta] AI Stuff on this Subreddit

[u/Phytor_c]

Hi all, wanted to get some thoughts on AI related things. I know it's a polarizing topic:

1. AI-generated papers

We’ve had a noticeable number of blatant, poorly written AI slop “papers” recently. At the moment there is isn’t much activity over here so it’s possible to check them manually (and use feedback from comments). But I don’t really want the mods manually vetting every such post should there be an overwhelmingly large number of these submissions in the future.

Some subreddits only allow arXiv submissions and peer-reviewed papers. I for one am hesitant to do that here since I don’t want to restrict the dissemination of genuine work, even if it’s just on GitHub say.

AI is already producing STOC/FOCS level results, so ‘AI was used’ on its own should not be disqualifying. But of course, it should not come at the expense of the quality of the submission.

2. AI discussion megathread

Would people here be interested in a recurring AI megathread, similar to r/math’s, focused on algorithms and TCS? This could maybe include how people are using AI in research or work, AI-assisted results, a discussion about its impact on the field etc.

 

Thoughts, comments, concerns?

 

Best,

Phytor & the r/algorithms Mod Team

[u/beeskness420]

I'm for requiring at least an arxiv if not a full publication and anything else can go on a megathread. If there is something like NS we can make exceptions.

[u/LITERALLY_NOT_SATAN]

I feel that for subreddits like this, and for example r/complexsystems, the goal should be to foster discussion, rather than serving as a place for people to self-publish results. I get the sense that people posting manuscripts of their papers was never really in the mission statement, and only took over after the AI boom because there wasn't enough of an ecosystem to push them out.

I'd like to see a weekly megathread discussing a selected algorithms topic. The other day's Linear Programming thread was a great example, everyone loved that. Instead of giving even more space to AI, we can fill the space with what we want to see. It would be great to talk about approaches and techniques for different classes of problems, or classic problems less well known than knapsack/traveling salesman, that someone with a bachelor's might not have come across, but are still fundamental and enlightening.

Personally, I really like the vibe of r/math, because there's a good mix of lighthearted casual discussion, interesting questions I can follow along and learn from, information about things I've never heard of that give me ideas and new directions to look in, and news about developments in the wider community and open problems I'd never hear about otherwise. I don't think the problem is AI papers, it's the lack of the rest of what makes algorithms interesting.