Post #4479967

2026-08-09 21:30 UTC

also really liked what he had to say about Epsilon Camp (teaching comp sci to middle schoolers): "The whole thing is conducted, not in ignorance, but in conscious defiance of the looming tsunami, that AI can already do just about all the fun puzzles discussed at such a camp better than humans any can, and that it might leave no point to human-led mathematical research by the time these brilliant kids are adults. Even the kids understand that. The kids and their parents come out of a conviction that, if anything has value in the world, this does—that as long as nerdy humans are alive and reproducing, this is what nerdy humans are here to do. To learn."

Replies (1)

@tbortels@infosec.exchange 2026-08-10 00:16

@darkuncle@infosec.exchange The biggest drawback of AI isn't that it's expensive. Or disrupting. Or drives up hardware prices. Or displaces humans, poorly. Or violates IP laws. Or flat out lies, dangerously so. Those are all bad, but the thing that *bothers* me? That they *displace learning*. If you can make an AI do it - you don't need to learn how. That is - until the AI isn't available. Or - importantly - when you need to learn something that relies on the learning you just missed because the AI did it for you. Reminds me of the olden days when I was a kid, and the adults would admonish "Don't smoke cigarettes, it'll stunt yer growth". AI usage can stunt learning. If you are already an expert in your field, maybe that's not an issue. But for students or early/mid career folks it should be a show-stopper.

Open ##4479966