RE tax! – done, and scheduled for Dec 23, too

Put up my first Bluesky thread. Not sure if I did it right

I also wrote another thing! Need to submit this somewhere.

SBIRs

• Set up the project folder structure and put together an initial config JSON file. Beginning prompt, token buffer size, and the number of steps. Maybe the number of UMAP dimensions? Or do we always produce 2d and 3d versions?
• To processing tests to CSV files. That way we can look at them in the IDE
• Got the structure set up and the config file read in
• Need to do some BD as high priority

GPT Agents

• Based on the chat with Jimmy, I loaded the (for me anyway) unreadable versions of Das Kapital into Notebook LM and used the following prompt:
  • Extrapolate to concept of workers and machines to generative AI which is trained on the output of writers (the workers) and can be used to produce mediocre writing without workers, and faster, high-quality writing with them. On one side, generative AI can replace workers, but will produce largely unoriginal content that will lose appeal over time. On the other, workers have access to a mechanical co-worker that can accelerate and often improve what they produce. Is the technology of generative AI inherently capitalist? If so, why? Provide alternative, egalitarian perspectives as well. Use the form of a white paper
• Here’s the response:
  • Is the technology of generative AI inherently capitalist?
    • To address this question, this paper extrapolates from the sources’ concepts of workers and machines to the context of generative AI, which, analogous to a machine, is trained on the output of writers (the workers)
    • Similar to the machines described in the sources, generative AI can produce output (in this case, writing) without the involvement of writers once it is trained on their work12.
    • However, also similar to the sources’ depiction of machines, the output from generative AI is likely to be of higher quality when it is used as a tool by human workers134.
  • Capitalist Perspective:
    • The sources, focusing primarily on the dynamics of capitalist production, offer compelling arguments for why the technology of generative AI, within the framework of a capitalist system, could be considered inherently capitalist:
    • Exploitation of Labor: A core tenet of the sources is that capitalist production inherently seeks to extract surplus value from labor. In the context of generative AI, this dynamic could manifest through:
    • Replacement of Workers: Generative AI could potentially replace writers, particularly in producing low-quality, formulaic content, mirroring how machinery replaced skilled artisans in the sources456. This replacement allows capitalists to reduce labor costs and increase profits.
    • Intensification of Labor: Generative AI, even when used as a tool by writers, can lead to an intensification of work78. This intensification could take the form of pressure to produce more content in less time or to compete with the output of AI, ultimately benefiting the capitalist through increased productivity.
    • Control Over Production: The sources emphasize how machinery, under capitalist control, consolidates the power of capitalists over the production process459. This control extends to generative AI:
    • Ownership of AI: Capitalists who own the AI technology hold significant power. They control the data used to train AI, influence the types of content produced, and determine how the technology is implemented—all of which can be leveraged to maximize profits.
  • Alternative, Egalitarian Perspectives:
    • While the sources primarily focus on capitalist applications of machinery and labor, they also offer insights that can be extrapolated to imagine more egalitarian applications of generative AI:
    • AI as a Tool for Empowerment: Generative AI, when viewed not as a replacement but as a powerful tool, has the potential to empower writers1011. It can:
    • Increase Productivity: AI can handle tedious and repetitive writing tasks, freeing human writers to focus on more creative and engaging work.
    • Improve Quality: AI can offer suggestions, refine language, and identify errors, ultimately contributing to the creation of higher-quality content.
    • Democratization of Writing: One could envision a scenario where access to generative AI is not limited to capitalists. Open-source AI models and collaborative platforms could allow a wider range of individuals to participate in the creation and dissemination of written content, potentially fostering greater creative diversity and reducing the dominance of large corporations in media and publishing.
  • Conclusion:
    • While the capitalist application of technology is a central theme in the sources, it is crucial to remember that technology itself is not inherently capitalist. The sources highlight that the capitalist exploitation of labor arises from social relations, not from the tools themselves1213. Similarly, the impact of generative AI will ultimately depend on how it is developed, implemented, and controlled. If these processes are driven by a focus on collective benefit, shared ownership, and the democratization of knowledge and resources, then generative AI can become a powerful force for a more egalitarian future.