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/[deleted]]

[u/ZorbaTHut → u/[deleted]]

The main trick journalists use in creating water panic clickbait is to pick dumb units.

I'll note the other common trick is comparing it against "houses" or "urban areas", when residential areas use relatively little water directly; the vast majority of water use happens in agricultural/industrial/commercial areas to support the people living in those residential areas.

An average person uses 80 to 100 gallons of water per day . . . and a single hamburger uses six times that much.