[Varelion]

I, and everyone in my social circle, go out of our way to not touch anything that was had AI significantly involved in the creation process. Hypocritically, I use AI a lot at work. I see it as using it a lot more than I am paying for, to actively sink OpenAI/Claud's bottom line.

I have a coworker that does the same. His logic was sound -- when something is heavily subsidized, abuse it.

[sph]

I was about to write a positive comment, then you mention how you perpetuate the AI machine just like everyone else, but with massive dose of self-righteousness on top.

Such is the tragedy of the world. Everyone claims they have strong morals, then shed them whenever convenient and no one is looking.

You can't say you "go out of your way" to avoid something and then you do the literal opposite, not even with a little bit of humility or moderation, but, in fact, going out of your way to using it as much as humanly possible.

I'm not even sure what is the point of your comment than just demonstrating your hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness.

[bigyabai]

Their point seems pretty clear? They aren't passionate about their job, they're pissing away AI-generated productivity to fill OKRs and collect a paycheck at the end of the week.

Then, knowing how the sausage is made, this person refuses to spend that paycheck on more AI-generated content. They are sabotaging their employer, forcing reconsideration of AI-first culture, and then refusing to re-integrate that cash into an AI-obsessed economy. It's a lot more of a principled position than just "I like AI" or "I want to see AI fail" that we hear from most sidelines pundits.

[joquarky]

It feels unethical to gloat when thousands of people are desperately looking for work in the industry.

[bigyabai]

Gloat about what? They're describing an A/B dichotomy of how they treat AI at work, and how they treat it in their personal life.

Their employment is corollary to telling this story, it's not any kind of subtle brag.

[pibaker]

> actively sink OpenAI/Claud's bottom line

Considering that hyperscalers are effectively funded by hype, you can also make the argument that by using AI you are helping their business by adding one to their active user number and making their business look ever so slightly better to investors.

Not to say your original argument is wrong. Just want to point out that the economics of AI is a mysterious mess.

[benterix]

OTOH... We know these plans are heavily subsidized, and we're happy to use them to the limits. At some point they will run out of investor money and will have to readjust. Do you think people using the existing plans will switch to per-API-call payments? Or, how many of them will?

Given enormous competition and good progress on the part of the Chinese and open models, I'd say let's enjoy the situation while it lasts. It's like chap Uber drives a decade ago subsidized by Saudi money. I have no sympathy neither for sama/amodei nor people who invest in their companies, and happy to use their resources in this crazy show where everybody pretends something and pushes their own agenda.

[deflator]

More or less our approach here too. They offered to help with our work at a loss for themselves, why not take them up on it? Not necessarily to hurt the AI labs, but just because we'd be foolish not to take something offered at such a discount.

[flax]

Right. Exactly. I'd be a fool to refuse that first free hit of heroin.

[deflator]

First taste is always free! But when the 10 billionth taste continues to be free, you have to start to wonder about your dealer.

[Varelion]

All of the American workforce will feel it when that 'heroin' stops flowing.

[bpavuk]

Ukrainian, too :)

(saying that as a Ukrainian who observes the same vibe-coding-at-job mess)

[btouellette]

Your work is using personal subscriptions? If not a corporate client is probably paying per token via the API and you're just feeding money to them not sinking their bottom line.

[munk-a]

The per token costs are still dramatically subsidized. The major AI models are priced below cost especially when accounting for depreciation.

We live in the time of Uber Eats letting you pay 50 cents to hire a limousine that will deliver a burrito to your stoop.

[benterix]

> The per token costs are still dramatically subsidized. The major AI models are priced below cost especially when accounting for depreciation.

Not sure if we can confidently say that unless the first of these companies goes public.

[Varelion]

Personal sub.

[Henchman21]

Severance