The future of AI is a controversial topic, and the stakes are high. AI companies are failing, but there's a chance to salvage something from the wreckage. This is the story of how AI is being hyped, and the potential consequences for workers and society.
AI: A Bubble Waiting to Burst
AI companies are often portrayed as futuristic visionaries, but the reality is more complex. The author, a science-fiction writer, emphasizes that their job is not to predict the future but to explore the implications of technology on society. The current AI hype is fueled by a bubble, with tech companies monopolizing sectors and investors betting on growth. However, the growth narrative is misleading, as AI cannot replace human labor, but it can convince bosses to fire workers and replace them with AI, creating a class alliance between AI deployers and those who benefit from the labor of reverse centaurs.
The Reverse Centaur Army
The concept of a reverse centaur is introduced, where humans become appendages to machines. AI companies create tools to make reverse centaurs, not centaurs. Tech bosses want us to believe there's only one way to use technology, but the author argues that there are alternatives. The AI bubble is a result of companies desperately pumping up bubbles to maintain growth, and the public is being manipulated to support AI deployers.
AI Art: A Disgusting Advertisement
AI art is used as an advertisement for AI, but it's not part of its business model. The author argues that AI art is bad art, as it lacks the creative intent and numinous feeling that true art possesses. Expanding copyright to cover AI training is not the solution, as it would only benefit the companies controlling creative labor markets. The US Copyright Office's stance on AI-generated works being in the public domain is a step in the right direction, as it forces companies to pay humans for creative work.
Popping the AI Bubble
The AI bubble is terrible, transferring the life savings of normal people to the wealthy and unethical. The bubble will burst, leaving behind useful AI tools and cheap hardware. The author calls for a serious fight against AI, targeting the material factors fueling the wasted capital and the class alliance between AI deployers and those who benefit from reverse centaurs. The future of AI is not set in stone, and the author encourages readers to question the hype and consider the potential consequences for workers and society.
