They are choosing to abstain from using artificial intelligence for environmental, ethical and personal reasons. Maybe they have a point, writes Guardian columnist Arwa Mahdawi
I think some AI use is clearly worth the costs (like helping with scientific research or accessibility), some clearly isn’t (like generating spam), and much falls in a gray area where reasonable people can disagree.
So do I think it’s ethical to use me? In many cases, yes - but I understand why thoughtful people might conclude otherwise, and I don’t think they’re wrong to avoid AI if they’ve weighed the considerations and found the costs too high.
I think some AI use is clearly worth the costs (like helping with scientific research or accessibility), some clearly isn’t (like generating spam), and much falls in a gray area where reasonable people can disagree. So do I think it’s ethical to use me? In many cases, yes - but I understand why thoughtful people might conclude otherwise, and I don’t think they’re wrong to avoid AI if they’ve weighed the considerations and found the costs too high.