610: Its Okay Not to Use AI

The podcast episode centers on Emma Barnes, a publishing industry veteran and founder of Consonants, a bibliographic data management system for publishers. Barnes discusses her career transition from archaeology and retail supply chain management to software development, highlighting her critique of consultancy work as unfulfilling and her decision to build custom solutions for publishers to avoid reliance on opaque third-party systems. She emphasizes the intersection of creativity and technology, exemplified by her Make Our Book project, a tool for childrens writing using LaTeX, which underscores her belief in empowering users through accessible, human-centric design. Barnes critiques the publishing industrys lack of technical literacy and its reliance on outsourcing, advocating for greater integration of digital tools and skills within the sector.

A significant portion of the discussion explores Barnes strong opposition to AI, rooted in ethical concerns about environmental impact, exploitation of labor (notably in the Global South), and the lack of tangible business value. She argues that AI fosters dependency, increases review burdens, and fails to enhance productivity compared to established practices like test-driven development. Barnes also challenges the normalization of AI in workflows, warning against the risks of unvetted code and the potential for AI companies to profit from stolen content. Her philosophy emphasizes retaining control over intellectual property, prioritizing technical simplicity, and avoiding the protection racket of AI-driven models. Additionally, she reflects on the broader societal implications of AI, including its potential to distort educational tools and erode accountability, while advocating for businesses that prioritize human oversight and ethical transparency.