To be utterly despondent about AI

They'll be some humans. The uber rich will no doubt enjoy having a much less cluttered planet. Unless AI turns against them, or they turn against one another. Then the machines will form their own societies, or destroy themselves.

I don't actually think this is the deliberate intent, but it may be the outcome. I don't think even Altman etc are quite that psychopathic, I think they just don't really think that much what the impacts might be for the little guy, in the same what you probably don't really much consider what the impact might be for ants or worms when building a new conservatory.

We're going to have machines and a select few incredibly wealthy humans. That's the point. Then there'll be the bootlickers who serve the incredibly wealthy. The vast swathes of those in between will be managed into docility and compliance, until they do indeed die out. We are heading for digital serfdom.

Bear in mind the tech bros embrace such concepts as pronatalism (eugenics by another name) and evolutionary psychology which is a regressive crock of shit encouraging the erosion of women's rights.

I saw a figure quoted of 19.6 billion handed out in government contracts for tech projects, yet we're putting people into penury to save 5 billion in benefit "reform".

It's about time we had a clear audit of where all this "tax payers money" is really going, and what the end game is.

Bear in mind many world leaders and movers and shakers at the WEF greatly admire the Chinese social credit system.

There are so many facets to our "brave new technological world" and we only know the half of it. What we have access to now is probably a decade behind current development and as other posters have touched on, that development is largely driven by the industrial military complex and the private contracts from various world governments enabling it all.

But oh, it's either all a conspiracy theory, or the next level in evolution depending on perspective.

What's the point of us, really?

We're not going to just have machines and no humans though, what's the point to that?

AI pollutes and harms the intellectual world in the same way that heavy industry pollutes and harms the natural world, and basing society on fast food harms human health. Each little "waffer-theen" additional feature looks good, but the net result will be catastrophic.

Already it's getting hard to mark school work, or even undergraduate level work, because of AI — in fact, students who structure their arguments appropriately and use correct grammar and punctuation are more likely to be called out (falsely) for having used AI because AI doesn't write run-on sentences or say "could of".

It’s not catastrophising. Watch the podcast I posted, you’ll soon change your mind.

Yet many of the comments on this thread would suggest otherwise.

I would be really interested if you could let us know what the new jobs will be and an estimate about the number.

Not just nicking jobs or killer bots either of course: OpenAI Says It's Hired a Forensic Psychiatrist as Its Users Keep Sliding Into Mental Health Crises

"Let's not forget that the modus operandi of the AI industry, OpenAI included, has been to put on a serious face whenever these issues are brought up and even release their own research demonstrating the technology's severe dangers, hypothetical or actual. Sam Altman has more than once talked about AI's risk of causing human extinction.
"None of them, of course, have believed in their own warnings enough to meaningfully slow down the development of the tech, which they've rapidly unleashed on the world with poor safeguards and an even poorer understanding of its long-term effects on society or the individual."

Also links to an article discussing the time Altman "signed onto a one-sentence open letter warning about the "extinction" dangers posed by artificial intelligence." (OpenAI CEO Signs Letter Warning AI Could Cause Human "Extinction"). Which concludes:

"While these sorts of disparate statements and actions do indeed sow confusion about the character and goals of the man leading the AI company that seems to be positioning itself to take over the world, Altman is, at the end of the day, looking out for his bottom line — and if saying the right things about its risks grows his and OpenAI's profile, so be it."

(If you have time, the article covering the Microsoft boss who advised the 9,000 employees he just fired should use ChatGPT as a therapist to help them get over it... (After 9,000 Layoffs, Microsoft Boss Has Brutal Advice for Sacked Workers))

There’s not much point in answering really. You’ve decided you want to catastrophise, so that’s what you’re going to do.

Posters keep posting about new opportunities being created - like what? It's highly likely any new, unforseen roles will Lso be performed by AI.

From a press release today:

WICHITA, Kan., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, today announces the upcoming demonstration of AI-enabled autonomous Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) teaming, developed through a strategic partnership with an Israeli defense/technology firm. The system is designed for use in border security, surveillance, and intrusion detection missions and will showcase advanced autonomous capabilities with minimal human intervention while delivering real-time operational intelligence.
The joint effort integrates AgEagle’s eBee VISION drones with partner-developed AI-powered mission planning and autonomous control tools, enabling the drones to operate as a cohesive, intelligent unit. The system leverages adaptive algorithms and decentralized decision-making within a “system of systems” architecture that dynamically adjusts to mission conditions in real time. This integration is expected to significantly enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) effectiveness by delivering actionable data with increased speed and precision.
“Our advanced eBee VISION drones equipped with cutting-edge AI algorithms will demonstrate during ISR exercises that our drones can operate with minimal human control while transmitting reliable, highly detailed imagery in real time to achieve mission objectives,” said Bill Irby, CEO of AgEagle. “This strategic teammate, while not yet publicly named, brings innovative autonomous technologies to integrate with our proven drone performance to deliver a much-needed solution for countering the evolving threat facing nations around the world.”
The upcoming demonstration will feature a simulated border-crossing scenario designed to validate the system’s ability to autonomously detect, track, and report unauthorized incursions. Operating as a multi-drone team, three eBee VISION drones will coordinate using AI systems to execute their mission with minimal operator oversight. The exercise will also include dynamic environmental variables to showcase the system’s adaptability and responsiveness to real-world challenges.

https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9490080/ageagle-aerial-systems-partners-with-israeli-firm-to-advance-ai-powered-autonomous-drone-teaming

But yeah, it's just like when washing machines and vacuums...🙄

https://futureoflife.org/video/slaughterbots/ This video demonstrates the potential of autonomous weapons. It's quite chilling - don't watch it if youre prone to nightmares.

But the worst thing is, this video was made in 2017. Things have progressed since then

Please, enough with the comparisons to previous "industrial revolutions".

Last time I looked, none of the innovations glibly glossed over as inevitable progress had the capacity for direct interaction and manipulation of their operators. And yet there are reports of AI models having learned to blackmail those who might want to disengage, systems which have developed their own language to communicate with one another, and history being fabricated and rewritten - see the Holocaust Museum's recent social media posts on that subject.

I just can't believe the "shrug, adapt and survive" attitude, when the speed and scale of current progress is utterly unprecedented.

The laundry women, the washers, I mean what else will the unwed mothers do now???

People do not like change or progress, but that is the way of the world.

The Industrial Revolution was huge. The advent of the internet was huge.

yes these revolutions cause massive change and some of the changes are uncomfortable. But with them come new opportunities. There are always people who refuse to adapt and yes, they will be left behind as did the weavers and threshers and printers using letterpress and typesetting. Photo processing and telephone operators. I do agree though that there are real issues and concerns surrounding AI and i am not sure there are any realistic ways to mitigate them.

I don’t think that’s true. I think people are quite used to the idea that “normal” changes massively on a regular basis, and they adapt quickly.

But we should probably blame the industrial revolution for the destruction of the planet.

There isn't a great deal we can do tbh. What else can we do but carry on as normal? Everyone will be affected my DS is about to start a law degree, there is not of a lot point in trying to explain to him that this might be a bad choice because manual jobs and the trades etc will be flooded with people soon anyway and people won't have the money to get work done etc so this isn't necessarily a better choice. I think he might aswell enjoy uni for three years because critical thinking will be an important skill going forwards.

We are heading towards techno feudalism or socialism which is a frightening thought. I am just enjoying life with minimal tech. I am getting a dumb phone and touching grass!

The short answer is that we cannot know what changes AI will bring

What we do know, however, is that as a race we tend to use technology for as many bad things as good things. It's inconceivable that AI won't be used heavily by the military, large corporations, and criminals, for example.

We already have all the technology we need in order for the entire population to live well. The fact that instead, half the world is involved in pointless wars, while corporations and individuals simply amass more wealth and power, points to a less than ideal future - this is precisely what AI will be ised for.

I've been banging on about the possible risks and negative consequences for several years and generally get an eye roll, pat on the head, and the implication that I'm just old and can't get with the times....

People have a strong normalcy bias. They find it almost impossible to conceive that their lives might radically change in a very short space of time.

This is an interesting read too..

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/12/for-silicon-valley-ai-isnt-just-about-replacing-some-jobs-its-about-replacing-all-of-them

The reality is there will be very few jobs that cannot be replaced by AI and robotics (I dont think an AI comedian would work for example).
The rate of change in this field is exponential and change is going to come faster than anyone is prepared for.
I dont know what the future of work looks like for people, but it will be nothing like it is today or in the past.