The Official Original Artificial Intelligence We're All F***ing Doomed Thread

Is that not largely because of the Ukraine invasion by Russia?
I know my utility cost in Germany is twice what it was prior.
And in Hungary where they still get energy from Russia it’s a quarter.

But that’s what I said earlier this had to end up in politics.

No. This has nothing to do with Russia, nor anything political. It’s tied directly to datacenters, and the use of resources and computer hardware.
 
That was as direct comparison as possible.

Well, not really. If at all, you needed to compare all DAW users to all Suno "artists" (besides, still interested where these numbers are from).

Show us exactly where the AI touched you

Personally, it touches me pretty much anywhere and daily. And it might even touch me without knowing it's AI.
And we're still only at the beginning.
 
Why I simply asked AI!

One of it's great uses is complex calculations and research- though I concur it is proven not correct all the time. Do you dispute the power use calcs AI presented, other than to say the Suno user base is greater than home musicians? Which is correct, but not to the extent you may believe, I don't think you can count users who drop in and give it a try once or twice versus johnny home recordist (ME) who outfits a a small home studio. Actually, I'm the WORST, because I dabble in both.

But the argument that AI music resource use vs DAW use is apples : apples. If you want to factor in entire data centers for AI, then don't forget to factor in deforestation for wood, VOCs for paint and guitar finishes, mining for magnets and wire, plus your computers, memory and hard drives, plus shipping all that stuff halfway around the world, all that. Don't argue dishonestly.

Suno Users (as of early 2026) Recent reports from Suno's CEO and multiple sources (Forbes, TechCrunch, Music Business Worldwide, etc.) indicate:
  • Over 100 million people have used Suno at least once since its launch around 2023–2024.
  • 2 million paid subscribers (active paying users creating music on the platform).
  • Some sources estimate around 2–2.5 million active users (including or close to the paid figure), with rapid growth in 2025.
Suno's core appeal is enabling quick, prompt-based music generation, often by non-musicians or casual creators. The 2 million paid users is a solid figure for regularly engaged "recording" (AI-generating) participants, while the 100 million+ reflects total reach/trials.

People Recording Music Traditionally (via studios or at home) No single authoritative global count exists for active music recorders, but estimates and proxies include:
  • MIDiA Research (around 2022–2024): Approximately 75–76 million music creators worldwide (including independent artists, producers, and hobbyists who record/release music). Projections suggest growth to nearly 200 million by 2030, driven by accessible tools like DAWs, smartphones, and home setups.
  • Home recording dominance: Affordable tech has shifted most independent music production homeward. Surveys and industry commentary suggest 60–70%+ of independent musicians now primarily record/produce at home (bedroom studios, laptops, interfaces). Professional/commercial studios are used less frequently (e.g., one 2024 survey showed ~43% of producers use commercial studios at least occasionally, while over half rarely/never do).
  • US-focused data: Around 38,500 people employed in the professional recording industry (broader ecosystem supports millions indirectly). There are ~22,000 audio production studio businesses in the US, but this doesn't capture home setups.
  • Global "active" home producers are likely in the tens of millions (subset of the 75+ million creators), as millions sell/distribute music independently via platforms like DistroKid, TuneCore, Bandcamp, etc. Many more record casually without releasing.
Traditional recording often requires more time, skill, and equipment compared to Suno's instant AI output.
  • Traditional recording (home + studio): Likely 50–100+ million people globally engage in some form of music creation/recording (per MIDiA's ~76 million creators estimate from a few years ago, and certainly with growth since). Active/serious home recordists could number in the tens of millions.
  • Suno users: ~100 million total users (ever), but ~2 million paid/active creators generating music regularly.
Suno's active creator base (~2 million paid) is smaller than the broader traditional music-making population but impressive for a ~2-year-old platform. Its total reach (100M+) shows massive accessibility for casual experimentation, potentially overlapping with or expanding the overall "music creator" pool.These are estimates—traditional figures are broader and harder to pinpoint, while Suno's are company-reported and more current (as of February 2026). The rise of AI tools like Suno is rapidly changing how many people "record" music without traditional skills or gear.

That's again more AI research by the way.

+++++++++++++

OK, I get it. It has touched you, me too via price increases - I recently bought four sticks of RAM and was shocked. Underscores the sea-change happening in society, which happen regularly throughout history - arguably for both good and bad. But to say AI will be the downfall of us when it offers humankind many more things than just the ability to generate a commercial radio jingle in an hour, or loads and loads of "slop."

It has already brought benefits to medical research, healthcare, climate change mitigation, scientific research, agriculture, security, robotics, auto navigation, military use, getting a very few people filthy rich, space exploration, probably financial management. My greatest hope for AI is that it may eventually replace the growing armies of slow moving (if they move at all) taxpayer-funded workers who weigh down our civil services.

And even as some of us argue vehemently against, it's a tide that's raising all boats, and I don't believe swimming downwards in an attempt to escape is the way to go here. Plus, it's watching you, you know.
 
Is that not largely because of the Ukraine invasion by Russia?
I know my utility cost in Germany is twice what it was prior.
And in Hungary where they still get energy from Russia it’s a quarter.

But that’s what I said earlier this had to end up in politics.

Hi Ed,

I am in the States.
 
We are definitely skating on the edge of politics with all of this, but I must say. Most of us have heard of the "Great Replacement TheorY" AND IT IS REAL. But what most people define it as is slightly off. The common man is NOT going to be replaced by immigrants, (s)he will be replaced by robots/drones/AI. That is the "Great Replacement Theory", they just need to pin it on other people so they can thin the herd ;~(( Live your life today, because tomorrow is being automated at a very rapid pace and your/my position in that "new world order" is certainly questionable!!! AND YOU AIN'T FUNNA STOP IT!

Try you might
But win you won't
Best thing you can do is just
Go on home
~Wuf Ticket​
 
But to say AI will be the downfall of us when it offers humankind many more things than just the ability to generate a commercial radio jingle in an hour, or loads and loads of "slop."

So, where's those "many more things" and how can I actually profit from it?

Well, maybe it's lessons in physics like this which will make me a convert...

 
Gladly, just abstain from quoting my replies to others.
I have no interest in polit discussions.

It's not about political discussions. It's about the reason why prices for electricity, computer parts and what not have been raised so much. And that's because of all those mad amounts of AI slop (which, quite unfortunately, also includes your very own videos) being produced demanding an unholy amount of whatever ressources. The fact that electricity in Hungary is still cheaper doesn't change one bit with that, these very ressources are used for AI and there seems to be no stopping.
 
It's not about political discussions. It's about the reason why prices for electricity, computer parts and what not have been raised so much. And that's because of all those mad amounts of AI slop (which, quite unfortunately, also includes your very own videos) being produced demanding an unholy amount of whatever ressources. The fact that electricity in Hungary is still cheaper doesn't change one bit with that, these very ressources are used for AI and there seems to be no stopping.
Of course it’s political. You post future forecast of AI burning energy. Nit like I’m denying it.
But if you think this has to do and not the war that’s changed we’re Germany procured its energy and call it non-political that’s simply nuts.

You get your wish I’m out of this.
And so I’m spared further nonsense I’ll even put you on ignore.
 
But if you think this has to do and not the war that’s changed we’re Germany procured its energy and call it non-political that’s simply nuts.

The fact (!) that AI is wasting incredible amounts of ressources hasn't got anything to do with wars, politics or whatsoever. It's a fact, nothing more, nothing less. If you decide to ignore that, more power to you. But I rather want to make educated and - dare I say - grown up decisions.
 
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Just watched a mini series out on BBC that might or might not be available in your local area.

AI Confidential by Hannah Fry

It is an interesting look at the impacts of AI on human lives.

First episode starts with AI Companions that might have caused an attempt at assassination of Queen Elizabeth II but balanced with the same concept helping others cope with grief.

Second episode looks at Self Driving Cars and some disturbing accidents that shouldn’t have happened.

Third episode looks at AI use in healthcare and what might have contributed to the killing of the United Health CEO. Let’s just say AI might already be doing it’s best to reduce the excessive population, or at least those who might impact on US Heallthcare profits.

Anybody in the UK can watch in iPlayer - others might be able to via YouTube? Give it a watch if you have the opportunity, it is very balanced and generally doesn’t judge, but gets you thinking…
 
I just think that any individual that can be left to die, will be left to die. Goodwill won't be the reason to save lives, but money. If you are needed to keep things rolling, you'll be allowed and even helped to live. Otherwise...
That’s the way it is now it’s just a minuscule scale compared to where it’s heading.
 
Holy shit, lol, should’ve read the last page first. AI art sucks. The people behind the technology largely would rather us all be batteries.
 
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