145. AI Chatbots
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Chat GPT, Gemini, Meta AI, and Grok. In episode 145 of Overthink, David and Ellie talk about AI chatbots. Are relationships between humans and AI valuable? Or should we shame people for using LLMs? And what are we doing when we use these technologies: expanding or outsourcing our cognition? They explore the dangers of using chatbots as romantic partners and therapists, considering how the how the principle of ‘Yes, And…’ at the core of LLMs can lead to delusion and even what’s now called “AI psychosis.” They discuss the fatigue surrounding the predominance of AI in our everyday lives and the negative environmental effects of it. In the bonus, your hosts dive deeper into the history of AI, its benefits and drawbacks, and the relationship between AI and embodiment.
Works Discussed:
Andrea Klonschinski and Michael Kühler, “Romantic Love Between Humans and AIs: A Feminist Ethical Critique”
Gavin Mueller,
Breaking Things at Work: The Luddites Are Right About Why You Hate Your Job
Matteo Pasquinelli, The Eye of the Master: A Social History of Artificial Intelligence
Michael Wooldridge, A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence: What It Is, Where We Are, and Where We Are Going
N+1 Editors, “Large Language Muddle”
Highlight: How Pasquinelli Connects AI to Labor
Matteo Pasquinelli’sThe Eye of the Master: A Social History of Artificial Intelligence explains how AI functions as ideology
His labor theory of machine intelligence states that AI imitates the intelligence of labor and social relations, or a collective labor network
For example, AI is similar to industrial machines like the cotton gin or the loom that replicated and automated the labor that workers were completing beforehand
Those working on AI are trying to automate labor to increase productivity that then creates surplus value for these AI/technology companies
Which ultimately puts more money in the pockets of those at the top
This phenomenon creates an echochamber within the ruling class regarding their vision for AI to just create more profit
More on AI and labor:
What do you think about what AI means for labor? Does your idea of AI align with Pasquinelli’s? Do you use AI? What are the biggest benefits of AI? The biggest downfall? Tell us in the comments!