I prefer that scenario to the one we had before where too many smart people were building out social networks and similar services trying to maximize ad impressions. We are still dealing with the consequences…

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BobbyJo 11 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

1000000% this. I remember lamenting all through the 2010s that all the high paying jobs were basically ad revenue supported.

Now its AI.

Maybe AI doesn't materialize the way we want, but I'll take that bet over business as usual before every time.

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mnky9800n an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I think those people are the ones in charge now and will be directing their ai resources to make even better ads.

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aleph_minus_one an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> too many smart people were building out social networks and similar services trying to maximize ad impressions.

Honest question: where should these very smart people work then in your opinion? Nearly all suitable-looking, "smarter" ideas that come to my mind will bring less revenue/profit in expectation than, for example, letting them maximize ad impressions.

I of course wish we lived in a "more intelligent" world where this is not the case. :-(

	▲	codingdave 39 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		> will bring less revenue/profit Call me crazy, but the smartest people I know have rejected maximizing their employer's revenue and profit as their goal. Or even their own company if they go that route. Find a niche, work it, enjoy it, and enjoy the rest of your life, too.
	▲	duped 16 minutes ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Probably not on systems that rot democracy, freedom, and human expression. Companies like Google and Meta are net negative for humanity and the people that built these companies and continue to work for them are evil in their apathy towards the human cost of their salary.
	▲	hightrix 22 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> where should these very smart people work then in your opinion? Anywhere else. Ads are a net negative to society and provide no value. ANY activity outside of pushing ads is a better contribution to society as a whole.

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williamdclt an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I'm not even sure that I do prefer the AI train to the social media / ad train. I certainly would if the direction was "we're throwing ourselves blindly in AI so to gradually free citizens from the need to work", but right now it's "we're throwing ourselves blindly in AI so that we can sacrifice workers for higher corporate profits".

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warshinder an hour ago | parent [-]

Not to mention how they will be used by terrorists and evil people to create biological weapons and other tools of mass slaughter. Or how it will be/is being used by criminals to target vulnerable people and businesses. Or how coupled with drone warfare the world becomes an unlivable hellhole in the next decade. But Marc Andreesan said only losers are against “tech accelerationiism” on twitter so here we are.

Edit: all that and spellcheck still sucks too.

	▲	terribleperson 23 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		You can, right now, find out how to synthesize VX or sarin, or how to weaponize anthrax. You can and have been able to acquire this knowledge without the use of AI. Knowledge is not the obstacle to proliferation of biological and chemical weapons. It's hard to set up the infrastructure. See Aum Shinrikyo.
	▲	satvikpendem an hour ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Sounds like you're reading into Amodei's propaganda as to why they should control AI. The information to make biological weapons for example is nothing new, it has been on the Internet for decades.
	▲	16 minutes ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		[deleted]
	▲	hack1312 29 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Terrorists and evil people already use the internet for the same thing.

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q8zd3 an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Same people, different context.

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Almondsetat an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

During the social media boom: Attention is all you need

During the AI boom: Attention is all you need