AI Makes Me Sad

This reporter feels a sense of sadness and hopelessness when encountering posts about advancements in artificial intelligence. The author acknowledges that they could benefit from AI skills, yet they do not wish to pursue a career focused on AI. The thought of working at a company that could replace human employees with AI is distressing.

The reporter expresses concern over the loss of creativity, control, and craft that AI brings. They draw a comparison to Charlie Chaplin's factory scene in Modern Times, where the protagonist becomes so engrossed in his work that he loses his humanity. The author worries that AI startups have replaced traditional startups, leaving no room for human-driven innovation.

They also criticize the rise of AI-generated art and music, which they feel represents fascism and the decline of human expression. The reporter highlights the overwhelming weight of AI's impact on institutions, suggesting that rebuilding these institutions might be possible. They express hope that the technology industry moves at such a rapid pace that it will eventually find a way out of the "dark age" they believe they are currently in.

The author is hopeful that AI will have a fixed role in society by the end of their life, bringing some finality to the situation. Despite the darkness they perceive, the reporter finds solace in the prospect of a future where AI's role becomes clear, even if it means the end of an era of AI-driven excess.