The 200B Parameter Pressure Cooker: Stress in Modern AI Research
The AI landscape has dramatically shifted in the last two years. ChatGPT nears 200 million monthly users, and Gemini saw almost 320 million visits in May 2024. However, for those working in AI, particularly researchers, this boom presents a double-edged sword. This blog post details the stresses of modern AI research, from the constant barrage of questions from all walks of life to the intense competition between large companies and the impact of research on stock prices. The author shares personal experiences of acute stress and psychosis, highlighting the unexpected anxieties of sudden wealth and the differing challenges faced by academics and industry scientists, such as publication concerns. Ultimately, the author advocates for open communication to foster a more compassionate AI research environment.