I am drawing all the lines in between me and artificial intelligence to let folks know where I stand. I recently made it clear that I am saying no to artificial intelligence as part of my API Evangelist work, and where I stand with folks feeling like I don’t have anything to contribute if I am not talking about AI. Augmenting this I want to share within my domain how I feel about people calling me out for the “useful” places where I still use artificial intelligence in my work, and draw some clear lines about where I stand.
If I am using “artificial intelligence” still in some useful way. I am regularly assessing the honesty and bigger picture of that usefulness ovedr time. This occurs on a weekly and daily basis these days. If I continue to use an AI capability for some useful purpose and I feel some need to write a story, talk about it in a meeting, or in a talk, I talk about the useful thing I am using artificial intelligence for, and omit a mention of the artificial intelligence. The useful things stands on its own, no mention of the AI is necessary.
Now, if I need to mention the artificial intelligence as part of my marketing, story, conversation, or otherwise because there is a wider culture around me of people who require me mention AI to remain relevant in their eyes. Well, I’ve already stated where I stand on this. This is the line where I step back. i feel no need to obsequious towards these people, and honestly I don’t feel any reason I need to continue socializing with these people. It is something that is most definitely impacting my bank account, but is having positive effects on my headspace and my soul.
In short, the word intelligence is very problematic, even before this moment. The phrase artificial intelligence is extremely problematic in this moment as it is being wielded by the fascists and the crypto bros trying to make their next buck. I have no desire to be in a Venn Diagram with these people. I don’t need their attention, money, or association. There is no reason for me to play in this game and defend artificial intelligence in any way shape or form, or condemn people who overreach in their personal assessment of my usage or non-usage of artificial intelligence. It is a time to condemn AI and push back on authoritarianism in all its forms, and not be championing “not all AI are bad”.
