Zap // Igor Vetushko, Blanco Blue / Depositphotos
Three of the main reasons why people choose veganism have a remarkable parallel with the refusal to use artificial intelligence.
New technologies usually follow the Adoption life cycle Technological: Innovative and adopting early ones run to embrace new technologies, while retarding and skeptical adhere much later.
At first glance, it seems that artificial intelligence is following the same standard, but new studies suggest that it can actually be following a different course – With significant implications for business, education and society.
This phenomenon has often been described as “hesitation in the face of“Or” reluctance to AI, “explains.
The typical adoption curve assumes that a hesitant or reluctant person in embracing a technology will eventually do so anyway. This pattern has repeatedly repeated without account. Why would it be AI different?
Recent studies on reasons behind hesitation in view of AI, however, suggest that there is different dynamics at stake, which can change the cycle of traditional adoption.
For example, one recently found that although some causes of this hesitation closely mirror those of previous technologies, other reasons They only manifest themselves in the AI.
Thus, there may be a better analogy for this phenomenon: the Veganism.
AI veganism
The idea of a “AI vegan” is Someone who abstains from using iajust as a vegan is someone who abstains from eating animal products. Generally, the different reasons why a given person chooses veganism do not automatically disappear Over time.
Unlike many other technologies, it is important not to assume that skeptics and retardaries will eventually become adopting. Many of those who refuse to embrace the AI fit into the traditional archetype of an early adopter.
The study on hesitation in the face of AI focused on college students-who are often among the first demographic groups to adopt new technologies.
There is some historical precedent for this analogy. Behind the screen, AI is just A set of algorithms.
Aversion to algorithms is a well -known phenomenon: Humans have prejudices against the algorithmic decision -making – Even when it is more effective.
For example, people prefer human dating advice Instead of advice from algorithms, even when the algorithms perform better.
But The analogy to veganism applies in other ways – and one, published in 2021 in Science Directshows that Three of the main reasons that lead people to choose veganism each have a remarkable parallel in the refusal to use.
Ethical concerns
A motivation for veganism is the concern with ethical origin of animal by -products.
Similarly, studies have found that when users know that many content creators did not consciously consent that your work was used to train IA, Smore likely to avoid using.
These concerns were at the center of Hollywood actors and actors in 2023, where the two unions demanded legal protections against companies using creative works to train I was without consent or compensation.
Although some creators may be protected by such trade agreements, Many models are trained in the work of amateur breedersindependent or freelancers without these systematic protections.
Environmental concerns
A second motivation usually manifested by vegans is the concern with the Environmental impact gives intensive animal agriculturefrom deforestation to methane production.
A, and recent studies show that the computational resources needed to support it They are growing exponentiallydramatically increasing the looking for electricity and water,
It is unlikely that improvements in efficiency can reduce the overall use of energy applied to AI due to the so -called ricochet effect: Efficiency gains stimulate new technologies that consume more energy.
In April, the news of an inquiry conducted with students from the University of Cambridge, who showed who much of the respondents refused to use – Not because it was a glow, but due to your Concern about the use of water to cool computer systems.
Personal well-being
A third motivation to adopt veganism is the concern with possible negative effects on health to eat animals and animal products. Potential parallel concern may be at stake in AI veganism.
One from Microsoft Research published in April in ACM Conferences concluded that the people who trust the most in the use of the Generative AI showed diminished critical thinking.
Cambridge University’s 2025 survey also found that some students avoid AI by fear that using it can make them lazy.
It is not difficult to imagine that the possible negative effects on the mental health of the use of AI can boost some abstinence from – Just as the possible negative effects on the physical health of an omnivorous diet can lead some to veganism.
How society reacts
The veganism gave rise to a dedicated industrywhich responds to the needs of those who follow this diet. Some restaurants have vegan dishes. Some manufacturers specialize in vegan foods.
Some companies may be given to try to use ABSE OF IA as sales argument for your products and services?
It would be something similar to the way DuckDuckgo and Mozilla Foundation, for example, provide alternative search engines and web browsers with improved privacy as the main feature.
The percentage of vegans in most western countries is quite tiny compared to the omnivorous population. Estimates point out that they are 4 % of the population.
But the persistence of veganism allowed a niche market to serve them. Time will say whether IA veganism is established – and creates new business opportunities.
