In the whirlwind of technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) often becomes the scapegoat for broader societal issues. It’s an easy target, a non-human entity that we can blame for job displacement, privacy concerns, and even ethical dilemmas. However, this perspective is not only simplistic but also misdirected.
The crux of the matter isn’t AI itself, but the economic system under which it operates - capitalism. It’s capitalism that dictates the motives behind AI development and deployment. Under this system, AI is primarily used to maximize profits, often at the expense of the workforce and ethical considerations. This profit-driven motive can lead to job losses as companies seek to cut costs, and it can prioritize corporate interests over privacy and fairness.
So, why should we shift our anger from AI to capitalism? Because AI, as a tool, has immense potential to improve lives, solve complex problems, and create new opportunities. It’s the framework of capitalism, with its inherent drive for profit over people, that often warps these potentials into societal challenges.
By focusing our frustrations on capitalism, we advocate for a change in the system that governs AI’s application. We open up a dialogue about how we can harness AI ethically and equitably, ensuring that its benefits are widely distributed rather than concentrated in the hands of a few. We can push for regulations that protect workers, maintain privacy, and ensure AI is used for the public good.
In conclusion, AI is not the enemy; unchecked capitalism is. It’s time we recognize that our anger should not be at the technology that could pave the way for a better future, but at the economic system that shapes how this technology is used.
This is actually an unpopular opinion sadly, on Lemmy as well in the outside world. A rare case of a post on this community where I ca upvote both because it’s unpopular and I agree with it.
Depends on where you live I suppose. Irrational AI hate is something I only really encounter online. Then again my country has pretty good worker protections, so there’s less reason to be afraid of AI.
I don’t know, there’s plenty of anti-billionaire sentiment, fuck_cars is basically anti-capitalist, and most of the environmentalists get to the same conclusion pretty quickly too.
The realists (and cynics in some cases) just know that it’s going to take a huge process to shift us away. I’m a realist and am opting for a progressive takeover that leads to taxing billionaires, carbon/pollution, and dangerous vehicles (among other clear hazards) out of existence.
But when I’m feeling cynical, I get worried that it’s going to take a war to happen, and I hope for my son’s sake that doesn’t happen.
This post is written by an AI. Lmao
“Are you scared of an AI world? You’re already in it.”
As much as I hate AI run by megacorporations, I don’t think AI run by a communist government would be any better.
Capitalism = runaway immoral human greed
this post reads like chatgpt output 🐟
Why not instead, the people responsible?
Please explain how in a non-capitalist world, AI would never be used for the sorts of things you dislike AI being used for such as job elimination. You think nobody will realize that it can be used to produce lots of art, for example?
In this non-capitalist world you’re thinking of, would we have any automation? Like do we have harvester combines, or is it still 35 people breaking their backs to cut and thresh an acre of wheat?
Job elimination is a problem in capitalism because workers need jobs to survive. In a socialist society, job elimination can be a good thing, as it allows us to either increase access to resources or reduce how much time people need to work without dispossessing the people whose jobs were eliminated.
The difference is that, in capitalism, workers only survive by proving their usefulness to capitalists making money. Automation is thus a threat to worker bargaining power. If the means of production were socially owned (through for example government run utilities or worker coops), worker bargaining power is then through a vote or through ownership. It is possible to by default distribute the spoils of automation rather than concentrate them in the hands of capitalists.
If the means of production are collectively owned, and thus directed towards the good of society, job elimination isn’t as much of a problem.
Socialists are huge proponents of automation, because instead of being used to cut jobs for profit, dirty and hard jobs can be eliminated.
Then why are we angry at AI in this discussion?
Maybe work on proving “AI” is actually a technological advancement instead of an overhyped plagiarism machine first.
Can you prove that human intelligence isn’t an overhyped plagiarism machine?
This is like asking someone to prove God doesn’t exist. The burden of proof is on you to show how humans are effectively over hyped plagiarists. You’re the one making the claim.
Maybe work on proving “AI” is actually a technological advancement instead of an overhyped plagiarism machine first.
This statement has the implicit claim: “AI” is actually an overhyped plagiarism machine instead of a technological advancement. The burden of proof is on them to show this claim. Additionally, this statement contains the implicit claims that: “AI” is not in fact intelligence, real intelligence is not an overhyped plagiarism machine. The burden of proof lies with them for these claims as well. My question was merely to highlight this existing burden.
Fair enough
AI outside of capitalism is still incredibly dangerous. It’s all the baises that create the world we have today but on steroids. Take all the injustices against minority peoples today and scale it up to however much compute you have.
It’s completely naive to think that AI will solve the world’s problems if that pesky capitalism would get out of the way. But this website is full of tech bros, so it’s impossible to get past that.
Also, being angry at capitalism doesn’t pay the rent. I can’t boycott capitalism. I can use my small power under capitalism to boycot your shitty ai.
it’s completely naive to think that AI will solve the world problems
It’s also a complete strawman to exaggerate what most proponents think of AI just because you saw some crypto bro Elon dickrider spouting off propaganda on reddit somewhere
The only people who want to use “AI” to “change the world” are the billionaires who think that they can use it to shrink or eliminate their workforce while gaining efficiency and control. That’s it. the capitalists are the problem, and you don’t have any power under them. None.
Why not both?
because AI is just a tool.
it could be used for good.
If used correctly newer generation AIs could be an absolute game changer In fields like medicine, finances, computing, public transport, customer services etc.
But what they’ll actually be used for is to make more money.
If you take capitalism out of the equation they could be an amazing force for good. But under our current system they won’t.
¿Por que no los dos?
This makes sense. Sadly gonna have to dislike/downvote tho lol
just what the robot wants you to do. AI whore.
Seethe, AI hysteric
It’s pretty evident that AI is incompatible with capitalism, but most people direct their anger at AI. Late-stage capitalism is the problem, not automation. I upvoted because I think this is actually an unpopular opinion factoring in the world population rather than just Lemmy.
