box464, 25 days ago

@andycarolan AI will be jammed into hairdyers soon.

As we talk with vendors at work, I ask "How does [specific AI integration point] enhance my team's use of your platform?" and the answer is commonly hem and haws and finally "you can turn it off, it's optional."

There are a few instances where I do think it has been beneficial. As a rubber duck for developers. As a way to empower non-techie users to build reports is another (with guardrails on which datasets the AI has access to).

andycarolan, 25 days ago

@box464 I do see more pointless integrations of AI that I do ones with a valid use. It seems to be used as a selling point much of the time.

I'm sure there are benefits to it in some situations, but so far I feel that the dangers outweigh the benefits.

alexandra, 25 days ago

@andycarolan I think the words, too late, sum it up for all of us.

Jennifer, 25 days ago

@andycarolan unfortunately all the industries are basically monopolies so it will be difficult. I ditched my Windows laptop for a Mac last year because of AI and ads in the OS, but Apple has its own issues. I use DuckDuckGo and haven't seen any AI yet. I guess we'll have to go back to flip phones to escape AI. It's frustrating.

andycarolan, 25 days ago

@Jennifer I think it's a best-effort situation now. I was going to write what equip and services I use, but I remembered that I have them all here... https://www.andycarolan.com/uses

I am happier in an Apple environment than a Windows or Google one, but yes... Apple does have it's problems too.

Jennifer, 25 days ago

@andycarolan I'd stuck with Windows for so long because I had so many software licenses for it. I've found good alternatives on my Mac that aren't stupid subscriptions. I use my phone a lot. I'm on it now. I wish we had more options than Android/Apple.

andycarolan, 25 days ago

@Jennifer Similar here tbh, I had to switch over a lot to move to Mac/Apple, but I'm glad I did.

Last time I updated a Windows box, it installed games and adverts lol.

I wonder if there will ever be a Fedi-fone? 🤔

alihan_banan, 25 days ago

@andycarolan okay, so lets start with Microsoft. Good luck moving to Linux, replacing Office suit with Libreoffice or whatever. Then Google. Go degoogle your android, stop using youtube, google search google workspace. Apple started their AI-fication as well with an iPad Pro, so sell your iphone, ipad, macbook, apple watch, unsubscribe from apple music. Amazon invented their AI assistant. We have already given them too much power - they are monopolies

I use linux and degoogled android, btw

andycarolan, 25 days ago

@alihan_banan This is what I mean by the last paragraph... “coming back from this / is unlikely"

We are deep into it now, and this is as much a problem of monopolies and capitalism as it is AI. We have afforded too few, too much power.