Singing in the Night

We want to make clear that, though we find the categorical condemnation for AI to be problematic for the reasons stated below, we are troubled by situational abuse of AI, and that certain situational abuses clearly conflict with our values. We also want to make clear that AI is a large umbrella technology and that the size and complexity of that category (which includes both non-generative and generative AI, among other uses) contributes to our belief that it is simply too big to categorically endorse or not endorse.

I have just read NanNoWriMo's AI Ableism statement I HAVE THOUGHTS

Indeed some NoAi arguments are rooted in Ableism, this means that the opposition to AI needs better arguments. Some disabled people look at such arguments and conclude that NoAI people are ableist.

This is reasonable coming from a community that is so oppressed within society, that many, including members of other oppressed groups deny we are and have been oppressed.

But there's a distinction to be made between an ethical argument that is rooted in ableist cultural assumptions, and the person making it holding ableist views themselves. It is fully understand if a disabled person, who can't or, doesn't want to make that distinction

A non profit organization run primarily by able bodied people, and who serves primarily able bodied people, should approach this issue with that distinction in mind, and should seek to educate the people that they serve.

About how ableism works to suppress the creative potential of disabled people, why many disabled people see GenAI as a beacon of hope, and why using conventional anti ai arguments in discourse with disabled people particularly the lazy ones about "talent, and work" makes you come off as an arsehat.

For NaNo to make the NoAI is ableist argument without further explanation is shooting the community they seek to be in solidarity with in the foot, and reeks of paternalism. At least to me

Full disclosure my belief is that if GenAi helps a disabled person gain autonomy. They have the right to use it, and owe no explanation to anyone. But beware of the risks