Another problem people miss about artificial intelligence
I just read a series of articles in the Economist analyzing the effect they predict artificial intelligence will have on the environment. They started by calculating the costs to build the computers and train the algorithms. They calculated the costs to operate the computers, which was much greater. Then they started writing about how people would use AI to increase efficiencies in grids, factories, transportation, and so on.
When people answer if they think AI will help or hurt, they almost always answer how they expect they would use it for their goals. This series of articles didn’t look at what seems most likely the greatest impact: how people who pollute and deplete will use AI for their purposes.
They aren’t trying to pollute any more than you are when you fund them by buying from them your gas, plane tickets, doof, and takeout. They’re providing services. They’re keeping the lights on. They’re fuel ambulances and fire trucks that save lives. Do you honestly think you’re different?
AI, like all tools, will augment the values of the people using it and culture drives people. Like all tools, AI will accelerate our current cultural path. Since despite all our lip service about sustainability, our culture rewards achievements that come from polluting and depleting.
Give AI to a culture that pollutes and depletes and it will pollute and deplete more. It may lower it in some places, but the overall effect will be to increase it, as with any tool. If we change our culture first, the new culture will use the tool to further its goals, which is why I focus on changing culture.
To the extent AI steers culture, it will help people in proportion to their access to it, meaning it will probably most help Silicon Valley, finance, industry, and others already with status. The more status you have the more you’ll be able to, meaning it will accelerate our polluting and depleting.
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