I’ve been “somewhat” opposed to AI over the last few years. However, like many things, a tool can be used for good or evil (while some things are explicitly evil).
My main contention is around the ethics involved in resourcing training material. Copyrighted data was taken under the facade of “research” without compensating those who own the data. It is like Napster, but without the protection and money of the label companies for the “little guy,” many cannot push back against the consumption of their data.
With that said, AI is not going anywhere. We are rapidly approaching “use AI or get left out.” Too much money is invested in them, and too many governments are racing to be the dominant player in AI. Further, we are forced to use AI. Participation will soon be required if you use digital tools: AI on your phone, in search results, in Photoshop, in the images you see, in ads, and in many places you can not avoid.
Do we participate? I am right now to an extent. I need to wrestle with it and understand it. And I’m forced into it when I check my email or search for something online.
Analogically, should we join the gang of thieves and enter the world of ethics determined upon social acceptance? “If everyone else is doing it, then it is ok.”
Do we eat the cow fatted on the poor man’s land? I do not know; it surely rewards the thief – assuming this is theft to consume without consent for the particular action. (Did you have a sign that said don’t feed passersby cows on my land? No. Did you have a sign-up that said don’t harvest my land? Yes.)
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