Whenever AI is mentioned lots of people in the Linux space immediately react negatively. Creators like TheLinuxExperiment on YouTube always feel the need to add a disclaimer that “some people think AI is problematic” or something along those lines if an AI topic is discussed. I get that AI has many problems but at the same time the potential it has is immense, especially as an assistant on personal computers (just look at what “Apple Intelligence” seems to be capable of.) Gnome and other desktops need to start working on integrating FOSS AI models so that we don’t become obsolete. Using an AI-less desktop may be akin to hand copying books after the printing press revolution. If you think of specific problems it is better to point them out and try think of solutions, not reject the technology as a whole.

TLDR: A lot of ludite sentiments around AI in Linux community.

  • FatCat@lemmy.worldOP
    2·
    5 months ago

    Right, another aspect of the Luddite movement is that they lost. They failed to stop the spread of industrialization and machinery in factories.

    Screaming at a train moving 200kmph hoping it will stop.

    • Telorand@reddthat.com
      35·
      5 months ago

      But that doesn’t mean pushback is doomed to fail this time. “It happened once, therefore it follows that it will happen again” is confirmation bias.

      Also, it’s not just screaming at a train. There’s actual litigation right now (and potential litigation) from some big names to reign in the capitalists exploiting the lack of regulation in LLMs. Each is not necessarily for a “luddite” purpose, but collectively, the results may effectively achieve the same thing.

      • FatCat@lemmy.worldOP
        2·
        5 months ago

        “It happened once, therefore it follows that it will happen again” is confirmation bias

        You’re right but realistically it will fail. The voices speaking against it are few and largely marginalised, with no money or power. There will probably be regulations but it will not go away.

        • Telorand@reddthat.com
          6·
          5 months ago

          Right, but like I said, there’s several lawsuits (and threatened lawsuits) right now that might achieve the same goals of those speaking against how it’s currently used.

          I don’t think anyone here is arguing for LLMs to go away completely, they just want to be compensated fairly for their work (else, restrict the use of said work).

        • kronisk @lemmy.world
          14·
          5 months ago

          It was more in response to your comments. I don’t think anyone has a problem with useful FOSS alternatives per se.

    • davel@lemmy.mlEnglish
      16·
      5 months ago

      You misunderstand the Luddite movement. They weren’t anti-technology, they were anti-capitalist exploitation.

      The 1810s: The Luddites act against destitution

      It is fashionable to stigmatise the Luddites as mindless blockers of progress. But they were motivated by an innate sense of self-preservation, rather than a fear of change. The prospect of poverty and hunger spurred them on. Their aim was to make an employer (or set of employers) come to terms in a situation where unions were illegal.