Letters: Don’t cavalierly dismiss the dangers of AI. Here’s why we should worry

Artificial intelligence poses real risks for people who use it and for the environment because of the impact of data centers that power it.

Regarding “It took 74 years, but this lifelong Luddite learned to stop worrying and love AI” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 7): The writer dismisses apprehensions about artificial intelligence — including environmental destruction and diminishing our capacity for thinking — in one short paragraph.

The writer ends with a “simple” choice of letting his “attitudes be dictated by movies” compared to living in the real world, implying that those concerns he so cavalierly dismisses are overblown fears influenced by popular culture.

Perhaps he has not considered that those of us concerned with the downsides of AI do not rely on movies for our attitudes. We read real-world studies showing that students who use AI to help write essays show affected learning, and that those who study using AI score worse on exams.

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We also look at real-world statistics showing AI data centers gobble up as much energy and water as some cities — and this in an era when we suffer from frequent droughts, only to get worse with climate change.

Based on the headline, I first thought the Open Forum might be satire — which would have made more sense.

Regarding “Preserve S.F.” (Letters to the Editor, Sept. 7): “Wake up, San Francisco, before San Francisco is no longer San Francisco!” decried the letter writer about the tearing down of older buildings for new housing.

The San Francisco I know is not the San Francisco my grandmother knew. It’s not the San Francisco my parents, who met in the city, knew. I don’t expect it to look the same in a decade.

Cities are not static. Cities change, and right now, I do not believe San Francisco is changing for the better.

Artists, immigrants and others who do not work white-collar jobs are being pushed out. We must build more housing to increase supply to meet demand. Those who can afford to live here will continue to move here, pushing out those who are already here and driving up rents.

I’d rather more people be able to live and experience our beautiful city than we maintain a few beautiful buildings. Though I love our Victorians, I firmly believe it’s the people who make a city.

Regarding “Trump, hoping to salvage midterms, makes a dubious pledge to give every US adult $5,000 if GOP wins” (Politics & Policy, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 9): Wow! President Donald Trump promises to give a $5,000 “dividend” to all U.S. adult citizens if Republicans retain majorities in the House and Senate. That’s exciting news and one that aligns well with his strong business acumen and skills.

Minor issues are that it’s not a dividend (since it’s not based on specific returns from some investment, income or savings), Congress would not likely approve and it’ll be damned expensive (over $1 trillion). But still, a novel strategy from a stable business genius.

Like Trump’s past success record, we Americans should also see the federal government filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization sometime before 2028, re-emerging (in Trump’s third term!) smaller, sleeker, more efficient and profitable!

And if bankruptcy fails, the U.S. can liquidate its people and assets, and (hopefully) retain some decent value.

Sounds like a win-win? I believe so. Go Republicans!

Regarding “Global inspiration stands not alone; strong initiatives exist here in California” (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 10): In addition public/private initiatives mentioned in the letter, let us not forget the effort by everyday citizens to address “trash” issues.

Paramount in efforts to clean up San Francisco is Refuse Refuse, an organization begun by Vincent Yuen. Many volunteers have worked with Vincent to clean up beaches, medians, playgrounds and neighborhoods at regularly scheduled events.

Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership.

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What began with a one-block clean-up with his daughters during the pandemic has become a city-wide beautification of San Francisco. The impact of the Refuse Refuse gatherings — including community-building opportunities, interactions with other participants and a sense of the common good — is clearly demonstrated.