this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Whenever AI is mentioned lots of people in the Linux space immediately react negatively. Creators like TheLinuxExperiment on YouTube always feel the need to add a disclaimer that "some people think AI is problematic" or something along those lines if an AI topic is discussed. I get that AI has many problems but at the same time the potential it has is immense, especially as an assistant on personal computers (just look at what "Apple Intelligence" seems to be capable of.) Gnome and other desktops need to start working on integrating FOSS AI models so that we don't become obsolete. Using an AI-less desktop may be akin to hand copying books after the printing press revolution. If you think of specific problems it is better to point them out and try think of solutions, not reject the technology as a whole.

TLDR: A lot of ludite sentiments around AI in Linux community.

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[–] FatCat@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (3 children)

That's just nitpicking. Everyone here knows what we mean by AI. Yes it refers to LLMs.

Reminds me of Richard Stallman always interjecting to say "actually its gnu/Linux or as I like to say gnu plus Linux"...

Well no Mr Stallman its actually gnu + Linux + Wayland + systemd + chromium and whatever other software you have installed, are you happy now??

[–] InevitableWaffles@midwest.social 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

As someone who frequently interacts with the tech illiterate, no they don't. This sudden rush to put weighed text hallucination tables into everything isn't that helpful. The hype feels like self driving cars or 3D TVs for those of us old enough to remember that. The potential for damage is much higher than either of those two preceding fads and cars actually killed poeple. I think many of us are expressing a healthy level of skepticism toward the people who need to sell us the next big thing and it is absolutely warranted.

[–] FatCat@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago

The potential for damage is much higher

Doubt it. Maybe Microsoft can fuck it up somehow but the tech is here to stay and will do massive good.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

To be 🤓 really really nitpicky, and i’m writing this because I find it interesting, not an attack or whatever. A tongue in cheek AcHtUaLlY 🤓

GNU/Linux is the “whole operating system”, and everything else is extra. The usefulness of an operating system without applications is debatable but they 🤓 technically aren’t required to complete the definition of an operating system.

But this is also basically the debate of Linux vs GNU/Linux vs also needing applications to make a useful operating system.

Quoting wiki summary,

In its original meaning, and one still common in hardware engineering, the operating system is a basic set of functions to control the hardware and manage things like task scheduling and system calls. In modern terminology used by software developers, the collection of these functions is usually referred to as a kernel, while an 'operating system' is expected to have a more extensive set of programmes. The GNU project maintains two kernels itself, allowing the creation of pure GNU operating systems, but the GNU toolchain is also used with non-GNU kernels. Due to the two different definitions of the term 'operating system', there is an ongoing debate concerning the naming of distributions of GNU packages with a non-GNU kernel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU?wprov=sfti1#GNU_as_an_operating_system

[–] FatCat@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago

Don't tell me Linux mint would still be Linux mint without the a desktop environment like Cinnamon. An os is the collection of all the software not just the low level code.

[–] LunarLoony@lemmy.sdf.org 0 points 2 years ago (2 children)

So when we actually do have AI, what are we supposed to call it? The current use of the term "AI" is too ambiguous to be of any use.

[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Honestly what we have now is AI. As in it is not intelligent just trys to mimic it.

Digital Intelegence if we ever achive it would be a more accurate name.

[–] FatCat@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

This is a bit philosophical but who is to say that mimicking intelligence with advanced math is not intelligence. LLMs can perform various thinking tasks better than humans we consider intelligent.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What AI means will change, what it refers to will change. Currently, the LLMs and other technologies are referred to as AI, like you say. In five years time we will have made huge leaps. Likely, this will result in technology also called AI.

In a similar vein, hover boards are still known as exactly that - like in films. Whereas the “real” hover board that exists has wheels. We didn’t stop calling the other ones hover boards, and if we ever get real ones they will likely also be called hoverboards.

[–] snooggums@midwest.social 0 points 2 years ago

Whereas the “real” hover board that exists has wheels.

Hovercraft have existed for decades and actually hover which makes everyone just accepting Hoverboards as wheeled infuriating.