Ludovic Courtès <[email protected]> writes: > One thing I wonder is whether the project should have an “opinion” on > generative AI in general and its relation to computer programming and > human creativity. I do have an opinion :-) and the question is whether > taking a stance as a project is worth it and feasible.
guix has already taken a stand on a number of issues, which, while easier to police, i find, personally, far less problematic than the use of llms. guix is a free software project, first and foremost, and that has been made clear on its hardline stance against firmware blobs. to my understanding, this is done for the explicit purpose of encouraging user freedom, even if it comes with some pain, because freedom is paramount. any criticism i have of certain policies is through that lens, and any criticism should first be made through that lens. "does this promote and extend freedom" should be the first test before adoption of anything. in most cases the answers are pretty clear. in a few they are not. but llms are not just not free, they are anti-free. they are in direct opposition with freedom. as such, guix should, in my opinion take a very aggressive stand against them. i will refrain from enumerating the incredible, manifold ways that llms take away freedom in this email, in order to not derail this into arguing back and forth on specific points, because, to me, the important question is only this: "will this make us more free?" llms are about as black-and-white an answer to this issue as i can imagine, and the answer is a resounding "no." so guix should reject them with as much force as it can. -bjc
