Ask HN: Need advice on how to deal with an “AI” project at work I'm opposed to.

2 points by throwaway8j3 3y ago ↗ HN

A new "high priority project from leadership" is getting started and my team has been asked to work on it. It's nothing illegal or anything but it's using "AI" in a way that I'm personally opposed to.

I've never really worked on anything that "made the world a better place", mostly just boring B2B software. However, I feel like this gets into the category of "making the world a worse place". I honestly just want nothing to do with it.

Normally this seems like it'd be good time to start looking for a new job, but given the current market that seems like it could be a good minute before that happens. Looking for some advice on how to deal with this situation.

1 comment

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brookst 3y ago ↗

If you think it’s a bad strategy for the company, make a respectful and sound argument for why that’s so, and make it clear that you’re doing so out of investment in the company and that you’re willing to disagree and commit.

If you think it’s a good strategy for the company but the company’s goals are misguided, also possible to have similar discussions, but there’s a lower chance of success.

If you can’t disagree and commit, either coast as long as you can while looking for new work, or make a principled exit and take some risk, whichever suboptimal approach is less distasteful for you.