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Stallman intervened in the Q&A section of "AI in a Closed World", objecting to the term Artificial Intelligence

After a lengthy discussion, RMS said he'd rather call it "Machine Learning."

And there we are, once again reducing a technological revolution to a petty lexicological argument, just like the "Free Software" vs "Open Source Software" flamewars 20 years ago 🤦‍♀️

Nowhere!Fast!

@codewiz Stallman is absolutely correct. Using the term AI skews the public perception and discourse on the topic.

@nowherefast Correct or not, we should accept that most people will say AI and ML interchangeably. Interrupting them to point out that it's incorrect will make us sound like picky nerds, and derail the conversation from more crucial topics, such as:

* How do we design, train and fine-tune free and open models?

* Who will cover the huge infrastructure costs?

* Can we realistically match or exceed the capabilities of existing proprietary models?

...and many more.

@codewiz currently the term AI and all it’s negative connotations (skynet, terminator bullshit) in public is being used to force policy and regulations to prevent development of free and open ML technology. Therefore not using precise words here undermines your own effort. IMHO

@nowherefast I agree, but I'm still not going around correcting other speakers who prefer calling it AI, particularly when there might be other people waiting in line to ask a real question about the talk. 😞

RMS is free to blog about AI vs ML, and I'd even link to it if someone asked me what's the difference, and his answer was clear and well reasoned.

@codewiz
> we should accept that most people will say AI and ML interchangeably.

Sure, I accept that.

That acceptance is entirely compatible with also acting to *reduce* the usage of misleading terminology, and to *increase* the usage of more accurate terminology.