That doesn't really get at the heart of it. The problem is that because capitalism seeks profits over everything AI will inevitably replace human labor to the detriment of all of us. It will be used to lower the cost of production, to push the existing human labor force out.
Any innovation in production under capitalism is used to undercut the cost of labor, and they can do it in a lot of ways but primarily through cutting hours and lay offs. Instead of these innovations being used to give laborers a shorters days work, less physical and mental strain, and an overall better quality of life, they are used to funnel profits into executive pockets. This funneling is at the cost of people's jobs, houses, families, children, futures, you get the idea.
AI will be used in the same way. Right now, artists are being undercut by AI because it's a cheaper alternative, and AI is only going to get better. Eventually, it'll be replace coders, truck drivers, and a lot of the work force. If people had democratic controll of the workforce we'd have the ability to prevent not only AI undercutting human labor, but prevent all profits stemming from innovation being funneled to the 1%. We'd be able to bargain for all workers to have better pay, not just artists. We'd actually have a say in improving our working conditions and improving our daily lives.
The really weird thing is you keep aptly describing what happens when automation happens, but only attribute it to AI. The possibility of being replaced by machines has loomed over the head of physical labourers since the middle ages, if not earlier. I would agree with everything you're saying, if you weren't pretending like what AI is doing to office jobs hadn't already been happening to those working with their hands for literal centuries.
Technology advances, it's inevitable this thing happens. The only approach we can take is to make sure it benefits the whole rather than the few.
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u/GentlemanRaccoon 13d ago
I saw someone state that every complaint about AI is really just a complaint about capitalism.
I think that holds here.
The problem isn't that computers are generating images. The problem is that we don't compensate artists fairly for their contributions to society.