Climate Apocalypse Inbound/Emergency -- Why Invest Resources on "Better AI" & Ads?

The recent hype/uptake in AI, especially around ChatGPT/LLMs and so-called "generative AI" tools has been kind of the final straw for me in thinking that the supposedly "smartest folks" in our figurative Silicon Valley are truly that.

Why?

My best understanding and prediction of humanity's approaching likely-future (and within our own remaining lifetimes — and unless we can veer away enough, in time) is one dominated by the unbounded-so-far carbon emissions crisis. Of climate shifts which cause more frequent extreme weather. Agricultural yield drops, world-wide. More resource scarcity and conflict in general. Climate refugees in mass waves. And possibly more war and democratic decay (or outright collapse) as a terrible bonus on top.

And yet... one can't go a day online -- reading socmedia sites like Hacker News -- without hearing about the latest (frankly) shallow AI "innovation" or big VC investment around it.

Priorities, people?

Disclaimer: I myself am trying to contribute (in however small a way) by making new education software focused on teaching about climate & democracy dangers, and trying to influence more to take (sustained, incremental, though possibly radical) action… and with utmost urgency.

As a programmer I know that “we” can't simply "write code" to reduce carbon emissions (or extract them back out of the atmosphere.)

I *know* we can't simply "write code" to reduce pollution or toxins in our food and water supplies, or in our ecosystems.

Or... can we?

Why aren't "we" collectively doing more, as a profession and industry?

Why aren't *YOU*? (Yes, the person reading this at the moment.)

Because the stakes seem IMMENSE. And we don't have a "save game" file to restore back to in the blink-of-an-eye.

Set aside Zelda for a moment, my frens.