I've heard some scary numbers when it comes to waste, but I don't have a source, nor do I intend to go digging for one because I'm already depressed enough. But you addressed neither of my other grievances. In the end I'd just prefer a future where work is automated, and not creativity nor thinking. I will speak up in this small space where I might be heard, when I believe corporations are betting on getting people hooked on AI because they've never learned to think or bothered to create for themselves, just so they can extract massive profits.

By all means, keep investing and being interested in specialized AI, AI research and AI ethics. But stay away from generative (text/image/video) AI.

[–] Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (1 children)

I didn't address your other grievances because for the most part I agree with you.

I don't have a problem with AI when used by an artist/creator as a tool. Even better when using renewable energy. What irks me is blanket statements that demonize any and all use of AI. Or when people misrepresent themselves as a creator when all they did was enter a prompt.

[–] copygirl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

I happened across a podcast episode that was about AI, that I was listening to with friends. I don't know if you want to take away anything from it but I figured I'd mention it here in case anyone wants to. Look for Serious Inquiries Only episode 477, "Debunking Bad AI Research, and Bad Coverage of AI Research". For you it might not be super interesting, since it's trying to explain the matter to those who might not already know much, debunking some bad studies, but towards the end they talk about the environmental impact. And this is with two experts, I believe.

One thing that pops up there is that training a "moderately large" model requires produces twice the CO₂ output of an average American over their entire lifetime. They mention water usage is really bad, too. And "moderately large" refers to what a University research team might be cooking up. Big companies have magnitudes more environmental impact from training their huge models.

(There is also a part 2, with the followup episode.)

[–] Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 8 hours ago

That sounds worth a listen! Thanks!