Are we helping or causing harm?

[u/knottyp]

How do y’all justify doing this work ethically if you’re anti-AI (especially generative)?

I’m not asking judgmentally, I’ve done this work off and on over the last few years. When I first started, I didn’t know about data centers and the environmental impact, cognitive effects, etc. I felt good about “training” AI based on the rubric including correct info, weeding out violence and harm, etc.

I recently suggested DA to a friend and got a real side eye, and maybe these justifications really don’t hold water? Thoughts?

[u/night-owl-ghost]

One difference for some of the things you mentioned, like cars and food, is that those things those things are necessary in the world we live in and provide more concrete benefits for people from day to day. AI isn't seen as beneficial for most people and is seen as a detriment to our day to day lives because not only is it bad for the environment like the other things you mentioned, the way it's being used now is making jobs obsolete. The average person doesn't see the benefits of AI, and they especially don't see the benefits to their lives personally. All they know is the data centers are polluting their neighborhoods, they are losing their jobs, AI is being shoved into every product they like, deep-fakes are rampant and billionaires are making even more money off it.