The article’s criticisms seem to all be addressing problems with generative AI, whereas the places that are getting these grants (my lab included) don’t do very much of that. It’s nearly all “old-school” machines learning for modeling and various optimization problems.

The one problem I would agree with is the widening wealth inequality. I don’t know what the solution to that would be. Ideally, it would involve getting rid of the current capitalist system rather than impeding technological progress. I don’t feel okay with someone telling me that I’m not allowed to automate tasks that I don’t like doing. In fact, I think everyone should have access to automations for things they need to do but don’t want to do. Let us focus on the arts, not on doing laundry.