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highplainsdem

(57,303 posts)
11. Thanks for posting this, usonian! I skimmed some of those replies. Very different tone from what
Tue Nov 19, 2024, 03:34 AM
Nov 2024

I'd see all too often on Reddit early last year, where fans of AI were dreaming of spending a few days or weeks learning to be "prompt engineers" immediately making salaries well into 6 figures. And where copywriters and others who were already losing their jobs to AI were taunted by AI fans telling them that meant their work was inferior and they deserved to lose their jobs. The AI fans kept up with that delusion even when copywriters explained their old bosses or clients admitted the AI output was inferior, but said they couldn't ignore the cost savings.

On Twitter, I've seen even teachers who once thought AI would help them finally start to realize that the ultimate goal is AI completely replacing them.

And on Bluesky, I just saw John Scalzi (science fiction writer and former SFWA president) post about Harper Collins, a major publisher, having made a deal with an AI company.

See these Bluesky posts





and he linked to this, by Drew Broussard

https://lithub.com/harpercollins-is-selling-their-authors-work-to-ai-tech/

On Friday, author Daniel Kibblesmith posted a series of screenshots on Bluesky in order to share a concerning email he received from the agency who’d repped him on his children’s book Santa’s Husband: the book’s publisher, HarperCollins, was offering $2,500 (non-negotiable) for the right to use the book in an AI training deal that they’d signed with an anonymous “large tech company.”

Kibblesmith told them no in clear and immediate terms, but here are the screenshots of the offer—they’re worth reading for yourself.

To call this bleak is an understatement. “And of course there is concern that these AI models may one day make us all obsolete” is a truly absurd line to hear out of a publisher engaged in actively feeding one such AI model and I’m struck (to put it gently) by the classic union-busting energy of “These terms have already been negotiated… and agreed to by several hundred authors, so individual negotiation at this point isn’t possible.” And a $2,500 flat fee—per title, so really it’s $1,250 to Daniel and $1,250 to his illustrator on this book—is an insultingly small amount for *checks notes* the entirety of your intellectual property to be chewed and regurgitated ad nauseam for as long as there’s a greedy capitalist there to push the “generate” button.

-snip-



Generative AI is ALMOST ENTIRELY about stealing humans' work and knowledge so the companies producing the AI models can profit from that theft by selling mimicry by AI of that work and knowledge. There might be a few people and a few uses that are more altruistic. But what's behind the genAI bubble (with countless billions of investment capital that otherwise could have gone to better use, and with companies trying to add AI to every device possible, and to habituate people to AI slop everywhere) is the aim of getting rid of those pesky human creators who want decent compensation and recognition and even respect that their already wealthy overlords don't want to give them.

And every person who goes along with this - who lets the corporations think their AI slop is just fine, or who amuses themselves playing with AI because wow it makes them feel creative and smart so who cares that it's based on theft of other people's intellectual property by a company that doesn't give a damn about anyone - is just hastening this atrocity.

If people are forced to use genAI for work or even school, they may see no choice. But they're being coopted into a capitalist process based on theft and intended to replace them as well. Silicon Valley's new dream, as Sam Altman has said, is a billion dollar company with no employees, just the human founder/owner/CEO assisted by AI.

Recommendations

10 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

with ai fake music wont need real musicians and songwriters anymore. no royalty payout for spotify nt msongs Nov 2024 #1
They just don't get it! kevinore Nov 2024 #2
The other day, someone here was arguing that "AI will replace as many jobs as it takes away." PeaceWave Nov 2024 #3
I remember that and they're full of shit soandso Nov 2024 #14
Good point. Plumbers, electricians and other trades are in high demand. jimfields33 Nov 2024 #152
Pretty Silly ProfessorGAC Nov 2024 #154
If they want to keep their lifestyle the same they will. jimfields33 Nov 2024 #155
Yup soandso Nov 2024 #158
I think we're seeing only the low-hanging fruit being picked. usonian Nov 2024 #21
Historically the 2 biggest costs for employers were the costs associated Tadpole Raisin Nov 2024 #37
Of course, have yet to hear who will buy the products & services companies offer . . . .. hatrack Nov 2024 #40
95. DON'T CLICK ON THIS LINK. VIRUS POTENTIAL. See posts 88, 90 & 91 Native Nov 2024 #96
And this in the age of high inflation, ever more expensive rent, and an incoming fascist regime... DSandra Nov 2024 #9
Oh they're not thinking that far down the line. calimary Nov 2024 #28
Deportation Delphinus Nov 2024 #106
That is the right question Cirsium Nov 2024 #114
There's evidence Spotify's already starting to do that. Ted Gioia has written about it, and he and highplainsdem Nov 2024 #4
I listen to Beato quite a bit soandso Nov 2024 #15
It's that good ONLY because companies like Udio and Suno stole all the music they could and are highplainsdem Nov 2024 #19
Thanks and I'll read it soandso Nov 2024 #25
The destruction of culture- FalloutShelter Nov 2024 #57
I think it's three books a day uploaded to Kindle, or it was the last I heard, but of course that still highplainsdem Nov 2024 #85
You are right... just checked and they have stepped it back to three. FalloutShelter Nov 2024 #94
This: Delphinus Nov 2024 #107
If a novel is created by AI Mossfern Nov 2024 #120
Movie theaters used to employ musicians to play during silent movies Jose Garcia Nov 2024 #89
DON'T CLICK ON THIS LINK. VIRUS POTENTIAL. See posts 88, 90 & 91 Native Nov 2024 #95
This is exactly what I have been saying would happen. Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #5
Unions can only fight things with the threat of strikes messing up the business... regnaD kciN Nov 2024 #26
Yes, that's a good point. Firing all at once with no warning is a low blow. Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #32
You are right, but in the wrong way.... getagrip_already Nov 2024 #50
I may be off a little but my understanding is only about 6% are unionized. TheKentuckian Nov 2024 #39
That was sort of my point... Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #48
People have to JOIN unions Ursus Rex Nov 2024 #71
The other aspect of this is Otto_Harper Nov 2024 #6
That is the real danger. Orwell was off by a few decades wnylib Nov 2024 #23
They can try, but will lose audience Steven Maurer Nov 2024 #7
Just more reason to hope for the aliens to stop screwing around and finish us off already. PeaceWave Nov 2024 #8
Some times it's so bs backwards I feel like I'm in a science experiment questionseverything Nov 2024 #12
Lots of people believe we're in a simulation soandso Nov 2024 #20
I'm still waiting for the asteroid.... n/t slightlv Nov 2024 #13
Huh? If aliens had our termination in mind misanthrope Nov 2024 #18
Aliens, killer asteroid, it's all good. Xavier Breath Nov 2024 #78
This is where capitalism needs to be reigned in. Ideally, as we are replaced by AI and machines, we should work fewer Doodley Nov 2024 #10
Thanks for posting this, usonian! I skimmed some of those replies. Very different tone from what highplainsdem Nov 2024 #11
Wow! Capitalist's Ayn Rand dream. usonian Nov 2024 #24
There's already plenty of evidence that genAI has plateaued and will never reach the AGI/ASI level highplainsdem Nov 2024 #66
"Watched over by machines of loving grace" ? Dang, I forgot which SF author said that and whether it's a preface quote.. electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #122
Oh, what an innocent time that was... highplainsdem Nov 2024 #129
Definitely Not. 😔 electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #132
Well, it depends on whether you view Brautigan's poem as naively utopian, which seems to be highplainsdem Nov 2024 #134
I so agree with everything you said. Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #34
I think there are definite benefits in science and medicine to some types of AI analyzing vast amounts highplainsdem Nov 2024 #67
Someone else said that AI was supposed to clean the house & do the dishes . . . hatrack Nov 2024 #42
Exactly. I remember hearing about a conference for AI scientists where someone (from OpenAI, IIRC) highplainsdem Nov 2024 #68
I dread the prospect of "Apple AI" streamlining the most trivial of digital chores, usonian Nov 2024 #82
Those of us who write and self publish are already seeing things get bad with "AI". mucholderthandirt Nov 2024 #44
I'm all in favor of tech that helps writers, and there have been many such changes. A writer Stephen King's age highplainsdem Nov 2024 #70
TY for this abbreviated history, current happenings involving the physical actions of writers writing, editors, etc... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #123
I've encountered AI fans who think text generators should be viewed as just one more tool for highplainsdem Nov 2024 #131
I guess u better start making charcoal so you can ground your own ink... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #133
So your writing circle created fan fiction? I've heard of pros getting started that way. And your art highplainsdem Nov 2024 #135
Ah, you've heard the term! It's sort of nichey... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #136
It's been around for a long time: highplainsdem Nov 2024 #148
Ty. I didn't know about the 19th+ century books. Interesting! I found it in '86 at a Philly SF Con... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #159
It's terrible. And trade publishing is now going full on AI pinkstarburst Nov 2024 #142
And companies that use AI after firing workers will fight Tadpole Raisin Nov 2024 #46
Of course. The AI companies released AI tools they knew would be used for cheating and fraud because highplainsdem Nov 2024 #72
At some point there won't be any more human content for AI to feed on Ocelot II Nov 2024 #59
There's some indication it will get worse, in what's called model collapse. Some people, mostly at AI companies, highplainsdem Nov 2024 #79
Just found out via The Verge that Microsoft is the company planning to train AI on HarperCollins books: highplainsdem Nov 2024 #111
Ugh, shame on you Harper Collins! Here's to Human Creatives!... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #121
In many SciFi series, there is usually one episode (or more) slightlv Nov 2024 #16
"First you use machines, then you wear machines, then you serve machines." hatrack Nov 2024 #43
I got laid off when I was an HR Consultant.its sort of a "pluff" job kerry-is-my-prez Nov 2024 #17
Located this video I'd watched soandso Nov 2024 #22
Again, this is all based on theft of IP. You don't even need to enter lyrics. Just a few words to suggest lyrics. highplainsdem Nov 2024 #27
I'll watch those soandso Nov 2024 #30
Nothing is entirely original. We learn from others who came before us, that's how humanity works. mucholderthandirt Nov 2024 #45
No, AI isn't making anything new, and it doesn't learn the same way as people. What it produces highplainsdem Nov 2024 #52
You and I think so alike on this. Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #60
I don't disagree about the harm to human beings soandso Nov 2024 #115
Check it out soandso Nov 2024 #139
So, I obliged with a request soandso Nov 2024 #140
Yes, it will churn stuff out instantaneously. It's still unethical to use. I don't find those paragraphs highplainsdem Nov 2024 #150
You're missing my point soandso Nov 2024 #157
Please don't expect anything resembling truth from chatbots. They're mindless mimicry of reasoning highplainsdem Nov 2024 #149
Yeah, I realize that soandso Nov 2024 #156
What I find especially discouraging soandso Nov 2024 #138
Change is never welcome but without it we would still be living in caves. cstanleytech Nov 2024 #29
Not all change is a benefit Mossfern Nov 2024 #55
I'm sure that candle makers felt the same way about gas and electric lighting and I'm sure the coal miners are currently cstanleytech Nov 2024 #73
I don't think those are analogis Mossfern Nov 2024 #98
That's because the candle makers adapted to the situation just as people can adapt to the existence of AI. cstanleytech Nov 2024 #116
Candle makers still make candles Mossfern Nov 2024 #118
AI is different from other revolutions - it's largey based upon theft radius777 Nov 2024 #128
AI is like a toddler watching an older kid playing with building blocks that tries to mimic what it saw. cstanleytech Nov 2024 #130
That has been a go-to come back for any criticism of ai. bluesbassman Nov 2024 #56
An AI grows much like a human in that they absorb knowledge and learn from but the AI is just faster at it. cstanleytech Nov 2024 #75
Yes, and we wouldn't have microplastics on top of Everest or in fetal bloodstreams hatrack Nov 2024 #74
I never said change was perfect but nonetheless things do change no matter how much we might not like it. cstanleytech Nov 2024 #93
Not the point - this is not inevitable, like the procession of the equinoxes or aging . . . . hatrack Nov 2024 #117
And it was a choice of the wealthy to support the change to electricity which most did to stay wealthy. cstanleytech Nov 2024 #119
It's one thing to replace the horse and buggy - re: the quantity and the time it took to do it, Tadpole Raisin Nov 2024 #31
Take away enough jobs and who is going to buy the crap they sell? Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #33
Many many companies have already abandoned the masses... DSandra Nov 2024 #35
You're right! What did Henry Ford say when business men decried him Tadpole Raisin Nov 2024 #36
General Motors have been doing that since the early 70s. They eliminated Emile Nov 2024 #38
There are a lot of jobs at risk through computer automation, I know - I implement the systems Amishman Nov 2024 #41
People need to have their eyes open Johnny2X2X Nov 2024 #64
The safest place to be is anywhere there are no hard rules and/or lots of on-offs and exceptions Amishman Nov 2024 #81
AI is cancer Blue_Tires Nov 2024 #47
Journalism is essential for democracy. Kid Berwyn Nov 2024 #49
The Luddites were right! Mossfern Nov 2024 #51
We need a universal basic income area51 Nov 2024 #53
Mass incaceration John Shaft Nov 2024 #65
My sister has been an insurance adjuster for a LONG time. LucasD Nov 2024 #54
My mom worked in radio. hunter Nov 2024 #58
I knew this was coming XanaDUer2 Nov 2024 #61
I'm glad I retired from the business when I did. Liberal In Texas Nov 2024 #62
What local news? John Shaft Nov 2024 #63
ChatGPT / AI isn't ready to replace humans in most jobs. Oneironaut Nov 2024 #69
What's the big worry? Prairie_Seagull Nov 2024 #76
There haven't been "jobs in paste up" for decades jmowreader Nov 2024 #86
Very good friend worked for a newspaper in just this job. Prairie_Seagull Nov 2024 #90
The best change I remember was going from 13" film to 26" film jmowreader Nov 2024 #97
Just for my understanding...these plates, are they... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #124
They're aluminum printing plates that work like the ones you make on a plate frame jmowreader Nov 2024 #125
Interesting Will get back to you in a bit 👍 electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #127
I'm back. Looked up some stuff... wow, you got thrown into the deep end of the pool!... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #137
I know about Kodalith but never used any jmowreader Nov 2024 #141
What was the differece between them? electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #144
Different chemicals are used to develop them jmowreader Nov 2024 #146
👍 electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #147
I *did* paste ups, and mechanicals 76 - mid '80, some graphic design, and illustration. Then off & on; *rare* ... electric_blue68 Nov 2024 #126
There may be an upside. LAS14 Nov 2024 #77
That's the plot of Vonnegut's first novel, Player Piano, published in 1952. FSogol Nov 2024 #80
This seems to come from a group in Reddit dealing with ChatGPT. LAS14 Nov 2024 #83
That's the universal worry these days. One has to be cautious usonian Nov 2024 #84
That cartoon Delphinus Nov 2024 #108
The animation industry's suffering, too Chalco Nov 2024 #87
YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE LINK OR DELETE THIS!!!! Native Nov 2024 #88
Why do you say that? I followed the link. It seemed legit. nt LAS14 Nov 2024 #100
the OP changed it to the new link i provided Native Nov 2024 #102
look at the url..it is bad... - old.reddit. that's not reddit Native Nov 2024 #91
When I first clicked on it it took me to old Reddit... LAS14 Nov 2024 #101
when i clicked on a link to share the thread, that's when things went bad. Native Nov 2024 #104
I still say that old.reddit is a legit site. When I go there I'm automatically logged in just... LAS14 Nov 2024 #112
here is the correct link Native Nov 2024 #92
I work in healthcare and they tried to Luciferous Nov 2024 #99
I hope they do. I'm looking forward to the genAI bubble bursting, and the sooner the better. highplainsdem Nov 2024 #151
Thanks for the new link at the explanation and the credit to Native. We do... LAS14 Nov 2024 #103
When the 11 million immigrants are gone there will be plenty of StarryNite Nov 2024 #105
In other words, the rebirth of Pol Pot jmowreader Nov 2024 #153
BU just ditched Humanities, Social Sciences for AI Ndp5 Nov 2024 #109
AI has exhausted all the training data of the entire planet and is now feeding on its own output. usonian Nov 2024 #110
Well, damn it. nt LAS14 Nov 2024 #113
who needs local news? they didn't do their jobs, people are dumb it's over Nimble_Idea Nov 2024 #143
lol, no o7___o7 Nov 2024 #145
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