The Left Doesn't Hate Technology, We Hate Being Exploited (aftermath.site)

A recent discussion among left-wing commentators has emerged around the perception that “the left hates technology,” particularly regarding AI advancements. This debate was sparked by claims from an AI startup employee suggesting that AI can replace human jobs and the massive $30 billion funding for Anthropic, the company developing the AI assistant Claude. Critics argue this narrative oversimplifies the complex relationship between political ideology and technological adoption, noting that many leftists appreciate beneficial technologies like high-speed rail and vaccines. The conversation reflects a growing tension as workers express skepticism about AI's promises, fearing exploitation rather than enhancement of their lives. Key critiques center on the nature of generative AI, which some academics, like Emily Bender, have described as “stochastic parrots.” Detractors highlight that the next-token prediction process central to large language models, while executed millions of times, remains fundamentally a simplistic pattern-matching exercise lacking genuine understanding. This skepticism is echoed by writers who emphasize that the main beneficiaries of AI advancements typically belong to corporate sectors, as individuals and workers face increased job insecurity. Thus, while proponents position AI as a path to a prosperous future, many view it as a tool for further exploitation, reaffirming the need to question its real-world implications and who truly benefits from its advancements.