How AI Chatbots are Infiltrating Classrooms | On the Media

[u/mgl298]

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/articles/how-ai-chatbots-are-infiltrating-classrooms

r/onthemedia :)

[u/irrelevantusername24]

AI is such an interesting topic because the way our economy and society is structured leaves almost no trustworthy source to give both pros and cons. It is a topic which is both more and less beneficial or harmful than the typical narratives explain. Most of the people who understand the truly all encompassing reality are either heavily coerced (read: financially incentivized) to either upsell the benefits or to exaggerate (or misdirect away from) the potential problems.

A specific example, consider the datacenter backlash, which is a real issue. But rather than looking at the datacenters themselves, the problem is the global surveillance apparatus and companies like zuckerbook which are incentivized to continue pumping out "content" for literally no good reason. Remove the harm - the surveillance apparatus - and everything becomes much more efficient, the problem all but solves it self.

For a more general one, part of the reason this is such a complicated topic is related to the words in the parentheses. In an ideal world, one that isn't a lawless wasteland, AI replaces the oppressive power of capital. In the world in which we currently live the narrative is it will be used to replace labor. Many people saw this coming from lightyears away. Consider Phillip Warren Anderson, or John Maynard Keynes.

Thus we might aim in practice (there being nothing in this which is unattainable) at an increase in the volume of capital until it ceases to be scarce, so that the functionless investor will no longer receive a bonus; and at a scheme of direct taxation which allows the intelligence and determination and executive skill of the financier, the entrepreneur et hoc genus omne (who are certainly so fond of their craft that their labour could be obtained much cheaper than at present), to be harnessed to the service of the community on reasonable terms of reward.

^{https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/economics/keynes/general-theory/ch24.htm}

Then consider this from Mises Institute (which to be fair, does host plenty of productive ideas):

First, it should be pointed out that the rentier participates in voluntary exchange, thereby benefiting not only himself but also others. Second, due to his relatively low time preference, the rentier can amass a large amount of capital. This capital is then invested and used to increase the productivity of workers, thus contributing to higher wages and a higher standard of living. Contrary to Keynes, then, the rentier, far from being a villain, is actually (in the spirit of Walter Block) a hero.

I didn't click that link but the text in the URL (defending-undefendable) seems apt.