13 hours ago
- The author coined 'clanker' as an alternative to 'agent' for AI systems to emphasize they are mere tools, not human-like entities with agency or responsibility.
- The term sparked controversy on Hacker News, with some perceiving it as a slur, but the author argues that machine language should avoid anthropomorphizing and assigning moral status to LLMs.
- Comparing the term to racism is inappropriate because it devalues actual human oppression; real harms from AI affect humans, not the machines themselves.
- The author insists on maintaining a clear boundary where humans bear responsibility, while machines are just tools, and will change the term if it becomes associated with racist tropes.