WeHaFoodCritic πŸ’Ž (He/Him)Feb 24
requiem 🦫

OK, so let's say me and some friends started a tech company/consultancy that refused to use "AI", would this encourage you choose us over others?

(boosts welcome)

Yes
92.5%
No
7.5%
Poll ended at .
Feb 18 at 4:02amWeb
Show threadrequiem 🦫Feb 24
I would love to get 1000 responses here, hint hint...
Show threadrequiem 🦫Feb 24
woohoo, 1000!
Show threadrequiem 🦫Feb 25

Thank-you to everyone who participated, I never thought so many people would respond and the results are a lot more lopsided than I expected.

I'm going to be writing a blog post about this soon with more details about what's next.

Show threadrequiem 🦫Feb 25

Posted!

https://jasongullickson.com/1000-ish-true-fans-for-a-non-ai-tech-company.html

1000-ish True Fans for a Non-AI Tech Company

Show threadPete Prodoehl πŸ•Mar 1
@requiem I need an RSS feed!
Show threadrequiem 🦫Mar 1

@rasterweb here you go man 😁

https://jasongullickson.com/rss.xml

Should it be called something else? I've had a few people ask for the URL so I'm wondering if I'm using something non-standard?

Show threadmathiasFeb 25
@requiem I might suggest the results here are selection bias :)
Show threadTim ChaffeeFeb 25
@requiem if you are thinking of a business plan to implement this I would wonder how many of the voters are in a position to approve a vendor and the $$$?
Show threadyomimono, still on landFeb 18
@requiem I have recommended Hermit Tech because of their β€œAI” skepticism, so I can say yes and even back it up with evidence
Show threadCartyBostonFeb 18

@requiem I didn't vote 😜, I am just super interested in the question.

The "AI issue" is so fraught right now I don't bring it up one way or the other in marketing my software consultancy.

As I get to know people I help them distinguish what I do from what an "AI" does (such as I can).

Show threadEFFeb 18
@requiem am more positive than some about AI... but AI as a generic tool, no thanks. As a method to assess data sets and look for different/missed approaches and/or links, to be validated by [genuine] experts, of course.
Show threadjlapoutreFeb 18
@requiem Didn't vote but I would really carefully consider if you want to use this as a selling point to your prospective clients. First, they will care for your services and products quality, as long as it is created at least somewhat ethically, Second, "AI" as such is right on its peak in the hype cycle now, the useful parts will soon become just another tool in your workplace.
So I tend to vote "no", by lack of a "doesn't matter as long as I trust you"
Show threadAmin GirasolFeb 22

@jlapoutre @requiem it's as much a filter for the types of clients this putative agency wants to attract as it is a signal for clients.

Speaking for myself, I don't want to work with clients who think LLMs are a solution to anything.

Show threadJ.now πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦Feb 18

@requiem

I don't trust Tech Companies anymore so 🀷
But no AI is a start

Show threadDaniel GerberFeb 18
@requiem not if you sell ai services ;)
Show threadJens LjungkvistFeb 18

@requiem

I think it’s short sighted talking about AI or not-AI. Today, AI has its uses, but it’s not the end all other technologies. Plus there’s a lot of problems that need addressing.

For most, it seems to have become a buzzword like multimedia was. But you still need a use case.

Show threadcleFeb 18
@requiem Depends, use AI for what?
Show threadKevin RussellFeb 18

@requiem

Yes

Show threadJustin MacleodFeb 18
@requiem there should be an it depends option. What's the AI being used for? How was it trained? Does it negatively impact the quality of your product. Will the AI being used have a negative environmental impact?
Show threadBleepFeb 18
@requiem all things being equal, yes.
Show threadSTPFeb 18
@requiem I really think it would depend on how you define 'AI' and what your doing... E.g. in my scientific work I use quite a few tool that are now branded, at least by some, as 'AI'. This is categorically different from LLM slop generation or trying to replace graphic designers with a diffusion model. I care about ethics, honesty, and using appropriate tools for the job over what it's being branded as. Cutting the BS language would be great too, of course!
Show threadr-holdFeb 19
@requiem not surprised that there is a lot of "theoretical" sympathy. But do we - the people - have money and contacts to offer? I very much doubt it
Show threadDan ⁂Feb 23
@requiem @downey to me the question is not IF but HOW you use it. AI will be like electricity, it’s about how efficient and knowledgeable/ careful you are about it
Show threadMichael Downey 🧒Feb 23

@FRYTG @requiem

🀣

Show threadSara Feb 24
@requiem Where do I apply? πŸ˜‚
Show threadsauc3Feb 24

@requiem

Not only would I want to hire you, I suspect that you'd be flooded by people who want to work for you as well.

Interesting side note, the replies provided a bonanza of bozos to block.

Show threadJack Yan (η”„ηˆ΅ζ©)Feb 24
@requiem No-brainer for me. (Voted yes.)
Show threadkitFeb 24
@requiem Probably. Though at this point I'd probably care more about what you thought 'AI' was, and whether you were not using what I thought you were not using.
Show threadaqeelizFeb 24

@requiem From my experience, most people that want something built don't care about these details. If the software works, they don't care. If someone can do the same job with same guarantees but half the price, people will choose them.

The responses on fediverse will be very biased for this poll. If you seriously want to start such a business, I'll highly recommend doing some research from non-tech / business oriented people.

Show threadxWood πŸ’–πŸ’œπŸ’™Feb 24
@requiem I'm not in any position to hire a tech consultancy, but especially for open source projects I would require it so that the project doesn't get IP contaminated
Show threadMage of VoidFeb 24

@requiem

Yeah, that's kind of why I decided to stop making my own AI/bots.

Thatband the old roomates and chat rooms stealing my accounts to make scammer ones!

Show threadjackFeb 24
@requiem yes and can I come work for you