I think this is going to be my final writing about AI.
I want you all to know that I understand that AI usage is not good for the environment. I also want you all to understand that whether I use it or not, it's not going anywhere. That cat is out of the bag and it's not going back in. We're far past that. What needs to happen now is finding ways to reduce harm and clean the environment. This is not the first time that an "advancement" has made a mess of things, and I highly doubt that it will be the last.
Whether you agree with me or not is irrelevant. I work in tech. I worked hard to break into a career in tech. I can tell you firmly that more and more jobs are requiring knowledge of how to train/work with/use AI. Whether you PERSONALLY use AI or not, I can guarantee you that any number of services, stores, hospitals, doctors, phones, computers, apps, etc., use it on your behalf. If you REALLY want to stop AI usage, target your complaints to the businesses and companies that are doing that. Boycott them. Put your money where you mouth is. Their impact to the environment is much larger than an average user, I guarantee it.
There are many things that I am against; for example, factory farming. Yet I cannot claim the label vegan or even vegetarian because I will sometimes eat meat. Do I try to minimize my impact? Yes. But am I 100% never going to eat meat again? Probably not.
This is also how I use AI. I don't use it for fun. I don't use it for entertainment. I use it sparingly and in ways that directly help me.
I don't know if I'm just wiser in my old age, or lazier. Maybe both. But I can tell you that while you are free to not use AI, fighting against individuals and their usage is not what is going to make the biggest impact and it's likely not going to stop them. It's an uphill battle, and I learned the hard way in Alabama with animal welfare/animal rights that it's possible to make an impact, but you won't win the war. You will burn yourself out trying to change things in a system that doesn't want to change.
I don't mean to sound hopeless, because I'm not. I'm just saying that I am choosing myself these days. I'm choosing my health and my sanity. I'm 43 years old and I've always put everything and everyone else first, and I'm done. So I'm not against using AI. I'm in the acceptance phase. I'm pro "let's optimize it and clean this shit up."
Not that it makes a difference to anyone who is already opposing me on this, but we have solar panels on our home. I drive an electric car. We don't cook or clean with electric appliances between the hours of 5-8 to prevent brownouts and stress on the power grid. I've been recycling since I was a kid. I also try to reduce and reuse things, and most of my wardrobe is thrifted at this point because fuck fast fashion and the mess it creates. I've BEEN doing my part to help the environment and that is not going to change because I DO care. But I'm not going to sacrifice any well-being I get OR my career to stop the small drop in the ocean that my AI usage equates. It's not worth it, and I think if you were directly benefitting by it in any meaningful way, you would feel the same.
If that infuriates you, then I hope you will stop and examine every system in your life to make sure you're not getting any benefit from the use of AI, whether it's directly or indirectly. If you look hard enough, you'll find it in something you use or a store you shop in or built into (or helped build) an app or website you rely on. It's everywhere. It does have uses. It can be helpful. Yes, just like any other tool, people can use it to make themselves or the lives of others worse. Does that sound familiar to you? It does to me.
Anyway, you are free to voice your opinions on my posts. I won't stop you. But I will just reiterate the stance that I'm writing here. I don't have the time, energy, or mental bandwidth to do more. This is where I stand on this particular issue. If my opinion changes for any reason, I'll let y'all know.
Be best!
