This developer refuses to use AI for paid work — here's why
AI Policy
David Bushell, a web developer, has published a policy stating he will not knowingly use AI for any professional output, including code, design, and correspondence. He outlines four categories of objections: morals and ethics, privacy and security, quality and standards, and employment and education. He cites harms like copyright infringement, environmental damage, security vulnerabilities, and the deskilling of web development. Despite abstaining, he remains open to working with clients who use AI, integrating their output without being held accountable for it.
Delivering design and code generated by AI would be professional negligence.
- _dwt
I guess I'll say it unhedged (since nobody else has yet): I agree with the author. I don't 100% align with his particular assignment of threats and externalities to AI, but I think overall it sucks and I don't want to use it. I think he's in a space that's getting overwhelmed by AI and AI output and I salute him putting his money where his mouth is. I wish him luck.
- usedbytes
I feel like you could replace “AI” with “computers” across much of TFA and it would read like something from a few decades ago (ignoring the web development specifics…)
That lends some credence to the “AI is a tool” position I hear in some forums, though I do think there are real harms from the vast scale of AI deployment.
- jmathai
It's a tough predicament when the industry you're in is moving towards violating your personal preferences and ethics.
I'm neither agreeing with or disagreeing with the author's stance. But this tension crosses the line of "I have an opinion" to "I have an opinion that impacts my livelihood".
And I'm witnessing a lot of it.
- VCFundedGenYer
This is the correct take. Using AI is unethical and results in degradation of skill and talent.
If you must interact with it, then you must, but you shouldn't.
All of HN should take note.
- vips7L
I love this guy. I don't want to use this stuff either. It produces a subpar product and way lower quality than I would ever output.