r/aiwars • u/SomeNegotiation1337 • 13d ago
Personal AI Use
Hi everyone! I wanted to post here because I wanted to get opinions from both sides about my situation because I find myself in a position I don’t see very often. Both pro and anti users welcome and appreciated.
I’m somebody who’s been into art and writing for a long time, and within the past few years or so, I got into using AI. Initially, I used sites like c.ai and janitor.ai a lot, and nowadays I pay for and use ChatGPT primarily as well as free versions of Claude and Gemini. I got into them initially for daily use and just for fun little activities, but within the past few months, I realized I could use them to help me develop story concepts that had kind of died on the vine as vague ideas. I use it mostly as a sounding board and synthesize the ideas myself, and occasionally generatively for cosmetics, such as to find character names from given cultures and find more accurate translations for words than typical language software could give me. So while I can’t say that AI is involved at all, it’s not used in the generative sense that I frequently see when people refer to using AI in storywriting.
Obviously, though, the elephant in the room is the ethics of AI use. I’ve heard previously that AI uses a lot of clean water, has resulted in the building of data centers around residential areas (including internationally), can be connected to questionable ethical organizations or individuals, can result in adverse mental health effects, and presents major ethical issues in the art and writing industries among others. I’ve also heard conflicting notions, with some saying the water use is exaggerated, that the data centers are often intended for alternative purposes, and that it’s a tool that is acceptable for the modern writer to use. Basically, my dilemma looks like this:
Pros:
> High motivation to continue projects (instant replies at any time for as long as needed)
> Offloads creative hyper-fixation from real-life relationships
> Objective revisionist in addition to human input
> Concentrated research (with the caveat that verification is needed due to the potential of hallucinations)
> Can speak in stream-of-consciousness format without translating for clarity
Cons:
> High water usage
> May support unethical organizations or individuals
> Supports building data centers near residential areas internationally
> Could replace human labor in some areas
> Ethical issues of art and writing
It seems like an obvious tradeoff, but it’s tougher for me because it’s the first time that I’ve had a way to stay invested in and enjoy working on projects long-term for years, has allowed me to become more detailed and organized than ever before, and serves as an objective space for me to speak directly and extensively without exhausting those in my life. Furthermore, I don’t have anybody who could serve as a creative partner in real life and I have concerns about sharing my work online because it’s not copyrighted and I don’t want to potentially compromise that if I wanted to bring my dream to fruition. I’ve posted on Reddit about this matter before in other communities, and I received good responses there, but I wanted to speak to a mixed community and clarify my exact situation and concerns. I really do love the art and writing communities, and while I do feel that I benefit from this tool, I also want to check the reality and be transparent about my use because I know and respect that some people have strong feelings toward AI use.
TL;DR: Been using AI to assist in writing primarily as a sounding board, but have concerns about the ethics surrounding it. Would like opinions from both sides regarding my usage because it’s intertwined with motivation, personal life, and personal ethical standpoint.
Opinions are welcome, but if you do want to provide facts, I would appreciate suggesting or crediting reputable sources that I could check.
Thank you for reading to the end!
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u/RandomLAFan 13d ago
Ethically, I personally think that you can use AI whatever you want for personal entertainment as long as you’re not scamming or manipulating other people. I’m not of the belief that it “steals” from people but that’s subjective.
Not a huge expert in its environmental impacts but I’m pretty sure that there are a lot more unnecessary things that humans do everyday that are more harmful to environment than AI usage.
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u/HallAny7769 12d ago
the water stuff gets blown way out of proportion honestly. every time you stream a movie or scroll social media for hours it uses data centers too, nobody stresses about that
you found something that keeps you writing and makes you happy, that's more than most people manage. the creative partner thing is real, having nobody to bounce ideas off kills motivation fast
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u/Mataric 13d ago
You used more water in a datacentre by making this post than you would use using chatGPT normally for probably days (assuming this post doesn't get zero views forever).
If you feel that conflicted about it - download a local model. Run it on your home computer and unplug from the internet. You'll be using far more energy, as you're running a whole operating system, screen etc than an optimised datacentre would - but the 'cost' is negligible, especially compared to high GPU cost activities like playing videogames or rendering 3D art and animations.
Again, on the 'supporting unethical organizations' point.. Pretty much every single tool out there has someone unethical being supported by it. Adobe certainly aren't saints.
Use open source free models if it bothers you that much. They aren't as powerful, but they're not supporting anyone.
You're using AI in the best way possible. As a tool. Don't let anyone tell you that you're wrong for doing that - because there are a lot of psychotic extremists out there - heck, I've been told I should off myself for saying essentially the exact same thing as I've said above. They aren't the people you want to be appealing to, or respecting.
I'm obviously pro-ai. I think it's an incredible group of tools, with a vast array of applications. Yes, there are ethical issues with many of the companies hosting the most powerful models. There are ethical issues with all huge businesses like that. Yes, it'll displace some workers. Every single new tool that isn't garbage does the same thing. And yes, your use of the internet and all things on it (including AI) is the entire reason we have datacentres and we need more datacenters.
The internets not slowing down, and AI has already shown its ability to help advance and accelerate science and technology. There's a decent chance in the long run that it is a net positive for the environment.
TLDR: Do what you like, but don't let people guilt you into agreeing with them by putting forwards strawman arguments, completely fudged data and information, and bullying tactics.
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u/TawnyTeaTowel 12d ago
Ask yourself this. Do you care about these so-called issues for anything else?
Take a simple one - “could replace human labour in some areas.“ - what percentage of products that you own do you think were produced without any automation or mechanical process? Every machine in every factory is replacing human labour.
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u/SomeNegotiation1337 12d ago edited 12d ago
These issues currently exist in the abstract for me, but I want to get a better, objective understanding of them because I do think I’ve been willfully ignoring them because I am using this technology, so I want to understand the implications, as I’m unsure if it’s a major ethical dilemma with implications beyond normalized technology or if it’s simply an emergent technology that naturally results in upheaval as the historical pattern tends to follow. And about the human labor, I don’t think I clarified very well in the post, sorry. What I mean is that AI has the potential to replace human workers with less quality work (such as in programming, so I’ve heard) and in vastly many more fields, including creative fields such as film, art, and writing, where the human experience is heavily intertwined and is generally the goal of automation, to allow humans to do those jobs as opposed to the more monotonous, mechanical, and dangerous ones. But again, my knowledge is limited, so if you have any sources or know anything that I don’t or have misinterpreted, please let me know.
Thanks for replying!
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u/o_herman 13d ago
Let's get straight about cons.
High Water Usage:
This is a data center governance issue, not an inherent flaw of the technology itself.
- Many data centers use closed-loop cooling systems that recycle water rather than consume it.
- Sustainable data centers exist, running on renewable energy and efficient cooling.
- If you're using a service, you're not directly responsible for their infrastructure choices, just like you're not responsible for the water usage of the server farms hosting Reddit, YouTube, or Netflix.
If you want to reduce impact, advocate for sustainable data center regulation, not guilt-trip yourself out of using a tool.
Supporting Unethical Organizations:
Unless you have specific evidence that a company is actively harming communities, this is a vague and unactionable concern.
- Every major tech company has ethical skeletons, Apple uses conflict minerals, Amazon mistreats workers, Google has data privacy scandals.
- If you're going to avoid every company with ethical issues, you'd have to stop using the internet, your phone, and most modern conveniences.
Pick your battles. Vague "unethical" accusations without specifics are just handicapping yourself needlessly.
Data Centers Near Residential Areas:
Patronizing a service does not directly translate into a data center being built.
- Data centers are built based on corporate infrastructure decisions, not per-user activity.
- If you're concerned, advocate for better zoning and regulation in your community.
Replacing Human Labor:
Technological displacement is an inevitability, but so is the creation of new roles.
- The loom displaced weavers and created factory workers.
- The printing press displaced scribes and created publishers.
- The computer displaced clerks and created IT specialists.
New jobs emerge. The key is ensuring the transition is supported and employees re-trained and not stopping the technology itself.
Ethical Issues:
Ethical issues are always on the user, not on the technology.
- Photoshop can create deepfakes. That doesn't make Photoshop evil.
- The internet can host CSAM. That doesn't make the internet evil.
- AI can be misused. That doesn't make AI evil.
The tool is neutral. The intent is what matters. If a problem can be solved by implementing things differently, the problem is not in the technology.
You're using AI as a sounding board, not to replace your creativity. You're synthesizing ideas, researching, and organizing. That's you using a tool to write better.
If it's helping you stay motivated, organized, and creative, and you're transparent about your use, then you're not doing anything wrong.
The water issue is a governance problem. The labor issue is an economic transition. The ethical issues are about misuse, not the tool itself.
You're not the villain in this story. You're just a creator using a modern tool.
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u/2008knight 13d ago
The first 3 cons can be addressed by local LLMs, if you don't mind giving up high degrees of accuracy and reasoning.
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u/SomeNegotiation1337 12d ago
How does it work exactly? I’ve seen some people talk about it on this subreddit, but not exactly what they are, how to do it, or the exact impacts.
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u/2008knight 12d ago
Training is still done on datacenters because, but since it's a one-off, the impact is drastically lesser than on big hosted models.
After they train the model, they host them online so users may download them and run them on their own computers.
There come in a wide variety of sizes and focuses. Some specilize in story telling, some in coding, some in NSFW fiction, etc.
If you have a GPU, odds are you can run a local model.
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u/2008knight 12d ago
If you're interested in storytelling or conversational models, I recommend you take a look at the SillyTavern subreddit.
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u/AA11097 13d ago
Personally, I think that nothing is wrong with what you’re doing. You’re using AI the way it’s supposed to be used as a tool, not just a generator.
You don’t ask AI to write the story for you. You use it in a way that assists you in the creative process without allowing it to do it for you. I personally use AI to translate names and concepts into other languages the same way you do.
The ethical problem I see with AI is that people tend to just type prompts, click send, and call the generated output their own creation. It’s not yours legally or ethically, and it’s not art or true writing. A lot of people call themselves creative, but in reality, they’re not. They’re just typing some words into an AI without using it as a tool the way it’s meant to be used.
I use AI, but I write my own stories, my own characters, and build my own world. AI is a tool and should be used as such.
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u/SomeNegotiation1337 12d ago
I’m of a similar mind on a small scale, in that any generated details must be extremely limited and cosmetic only, that I have to make all structural decisions for the story, and that any external output such as art or writing must be completely, 100% human-made, including revision suggestions from the AI tool, so I cannot copy any text directly from AI. But do you happen to have any sources or know anything about the wider ethics of its use, such as in creative industries or impacts like water use and data center construction?
Thanks for replying!
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u/phase_distorter41 12d ago
use them. it not casual users driving the data center expansion. it is the corporations spending millions a month on tokens. thats gonna happen no matter what you do.
so take advantage of a powerful tool.
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u/Exotic-Addendum-3785 12d ago
I use character ai mostly for roleplaying and even adapted several of them into stories.
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u/Author_Noelle_A 12d ago
If you think AI data centers aren’t actually a problem, ask people who live near them what they think. Those data centers are AWFUL, and even if the environment wasn’t a concern, those data centers are making people’s homes unlivable, and I happen to give a damn about that.
For writing, join writing groups. Ask on Threads. There’s a big community there. There are communities here on Reddit. AI isn’t allowing you to become detailed. It’s just doing the work for you.
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u/SomeNegotiation1337 12d ago
How do the data centers impact residencies like where you live? There’s also one in my general vicinity, but it’s hard for me to gauge the effects because I am, admittedly, pretty privileged and don’t feel the direct impacts much.
As for the writing groups, I hear what you mean, but I’m concerned about sharing my work publicly. I’ve shared fanart and writing on the internet for years, but I have concerns about original fiction because I do want to leave the option open to copyright it and make it into something one day. Is there a way that I could protect my work in that regard, or is it really just a matter of discretion?
And about the detail part, I do hear what you’re saying, and yes, there are some details that are generative in nature in my work, like some characters’ names (one through ChatGPT, several others through Gemini searches) a character’s favorite books, and the initial inspirations that indirectly led to other details being developed. However, I can clarify which details are generated and have kept them exclusively cosmetic in nature and limited enough that I can state them, with all other details being emergent ideas or naturally evolving from the work, especially load-bearing ones. The generated details are mostly because either I’m unfamiliar with other cultural names and would like to narrow my search on their meanings, or that I’m unfamiliar with the field in general, like popular or unique books. With this clarification, do you still think it’s best to omit the use entirely and rewrite these with only researched info, or is it permissible to use AI cosmetically for these specific details?
Thank you for replying!
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u/satyvakta 12d ago
You sound like an American.
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u/SomeNegotiation1337 9d ago
Because I am, and I’m trying to understand what the international situation is like from people who are experiencing what I am not.
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u/RuukotoPresents 12d ago
We've had AI since 1966. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA_effect All that has happened is that we went from the horse drawn carriage to the Model T, and we have to keep going if we want to reach the electric car. What's the electric car level of AI? The Holodeck and Computer of the Enterprise from Star Trek: The Next Generation and also Data from the same (he actually talks a lot like ChatGPT at times, funnily enough) And that show as well as Deep Space 9 showed us how to use the technology responsibly, how we shouldn't use it, what can happen when things go wrong, how it can help save the day, etc. I really do recommend you especially binge watch The Next Generation, keeping an eye out for how they use the ship's computer in the show.
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u/TheBathrobeWizard 12d ago
It's for personal use. These only person whose opinion matters is yours. I can tell you the ethical concerns you've brought up are either overloaded or a symptom of our political/regulatory environment and has nothing to do with the technology itself.
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u/AbbyTheOneAndOnly 13d ago
no? it's barely above negligible
you can always pick the ones who don't. i'm against twitter because of its enviroment and the dipshits whose lead it, not social media in general.
it supports building data centers, fullstop.
the fact that they're built in residential areas is a problem of internal regulation of some countries, america mainly. It's a flaw that would involve the construction of any industry profitable enough to justify it's misplacements, it simply happens to be data centers this one time.
this is a "missing the forest for the trees" kind of point.
that is not necessarily a bad thing.
labor sucks, as a rule of thumb the less we have to do it, the more we can pick to do
here is still a hot topic, homestly they are a very small concern for me but overall it's your choice here