Franco Perdu

Alas, I guess this is what I get for trying to participate and having an unpopular opinion

Can you prove that? Alibaba (makers of Qwen) is one of the largest data processors in the world. Why do you think they’re dependent on Western systems?

I’ll take a crack at it.

I run AI on an old Nvidia p40 purchased online for less than $200. The models I run on it came predominantly from Chinese companies and groups. On balance, they:

• use much less fossil fuel in producing these LLMs than their Western counterparts

• produce models that run much better on lower end consumer hardware

As for training data, the inputs used to create these models, it varies greatly but the most popular line, Qwen, Came from the company’s own data from operating such huge networks and systems for so long

I really fail to see how any of that is worse than playing a video game.

None of this takes away from the very real issues around data center build out and Western companies using the systems to scare people and continue an economic bubble. That’s all true and bad. But there’s nuance. Not all AI is created equal