I really dislike this AI programming thing of “Mr LLM, go slam your face into the problem until there’s no problem left, then call me back”. (Not sure if it’s a recent trend or a fundamental nature.)

It always brings to my mind some words from Rich Hickey:

    I think we’re in this world I’d like to call “guardrail programming”. It’s really sad: we’re like, “I can make change because I have tests!”. Who does that? Who drives their car around, banging against the guardrails, saying “whoah, I’m so glad I have these guardrails so I can make it to the show on time!”

> I really dislike this AI programming thing of “Mr LLM, go slam your face into the problem until there’s no problem left, then call me back”.

Not difficult to see why the employees of AI firms are thrilled with it though, eh?

> I don’t think I really have a point to make here, other than it just feels like someone’s released a bunch of carnival bumper cars onto the highways.

I like the analogy.

I guess this is why we got this before cars sold without steering wheels: literal guardrails on the literal roads are somewhat more expensive, especially for the people who keep bouncing off them on the way to their destination.

Also, where the guardrails are absent: oh look, felonies. https://www.google.com/search?q=ai+hacks+company&tbm=nws

Like hitting pinball bumpers, except the high score in the end is the bill you pay the token provider.