Pro-AI?

Recently I was described as “pro-AI”. “Oh, ChatGPT? You should ask Nick about that, he’s pro-AI.”

I was a little taken aback, as “pro-AI” is not how I would ever think to describe my own thoughts and feelings. It’s not wrong wrong, I guess. I mean, I’m not anti-AI in the way that some people are. But still, “pro-AI” is too vague to be useful, and is prone to wild misinterpretation.

“Okay, so how do you want to be described then?”

At this point, with respect to AI, I think my position can be summed up as optimistic resignationism.

• Resignationist: this technology will be dramatically impactful in all sorts of ways, and its development is inevitable and unstoppable.

• Optimistic: along with all of its many negative impacts, there will be lots of cool and amazing things, and maybe even the possibility for some positive social change.

In short: It’s going to be a bumpy ride to an unknown destination. But the in-flight entertainment will be great.