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We're gonna need a lot more mathematicians

407 points · 504 comments · srcreigh

  1. siavosh · · focus · HN ↗
    Like most of us I go back and forth between sheer optimism and fear for the future that AI may usher in. Recently I started vibe coding a fun video game with my ten year old. The experience is different than my work because it’s been such a joy to basically have a personal genie in a bottle help me make some personal art with a loved one regardless of either of our skill sets. The concept the author of this post is arguing now resonates with me more than it would have a few weeks ago. The sheer surface area that AI can create in our intellectual life is limitless and needs humans to explore. There can never be enough of us in that sense. Whether it’s as validators or creators.
    1. demibabs · · focus · HN ↗
      Certainly humans can enjoy exploring such things, but will they really be needed?
      1. dozerly · · focus · HN ↗
        What does needed even mean? To produce shareholder value? Maybe not. To explore thoughts and ideas humans have for fun? Certainly
        1. awepofiwaop · · focus · HN ↗
          To make money in order to eat food and have a home.
          1. delis-thumbs-7e · · focus · HN ↗
            We could feed the whole population of the world if we decided to, we definitely have enough production[1]. If we pretend AI-assisted automation can do most work - which still currently is an highly dubious claim - we could just provide food and shelter for free to everyone, if we so desired. It would require quite a lot of restructuring and dietary changes, but it is possible.

            [1]<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;online.ucpress.edu&#x2F;elementa&#x2F;article&#x2F;doi&#x2F;10.1525&#x2F;elementa.310&#x2F;112838&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;online.ucpress.edu&#x2F;elementa&#x2F;article&#x2F;doi&#x2F;10.1525&#x2F;elem...

            1. anon-3988 · · focus · HN ↗
              If this is true, you would think that companies would be opening shops in the middle of (some shithole country) so they can make money (or someone else would grab it). But they don’t, why is that?
              1. traes · · focus · HN ↗
                Because the shithole countries are poor and rife with violence that is hostile to operating a profitable company? Obviously?
                1. anon-3988 · · focus · HN ↗
                  Exactly, it is already priced in. Try setting up shop in the middle of some really bad country and you will soon realize why food is not getting there.
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