Should we plan some intentional discussion on LLMs?
Hi all,
In the previous thread relating to LLMs on the fediverse, a number of social.coop members have expressed a desire for us to come up with policies regarding LLMs. A few of us who took part in the joint hackathon with cosocial.ca ended up talking about this and felt that it would be good to take a step back, slow down, and try to have some discussions about LLMs in a very intentional way.
Proposal: Host an online discussion
As a result, I would like to plan an online discussion via video chat/meeting. We thought when discussing a topic with such a breadth and diversity of deeply held opinions, it could be helpful to do so in a format where folks have the opportunity to see and hear each other. I would really like to see this happen, and to do so, could use the help of a few more folks willing to be on a working group to plan this forum.
As for the audience, all social.coop members would be invited to the discussion. Some folks at cosocial.ca have expressed interest in cooperating to plan and participate in this forum as well, so it would likely be a joint forum for members of both coops to discuss this topic.
The purpose of the discussion as I have in mind would be to discuss what folks feel should be the place of LLMs on the fediverse, particularly as members of a cooperatively run server. We may have very diverse opinions on LLMs but I think taking part simultaneously in the coop movement and the fediverse makes us a very unique and special group. This won't by any means eliminate all disagreement, but I think it is a really strong starting place that provides some common ground to build on.
The goals of the discussion would be to find common ground regarding LLMs where we can, understand each others' perspectives better, and be better prepared moving forward for policy discussions on the topic. As a proposed joint forum, and since we make decisions on Loomio, the discussion would not be making any decisions to enact new policies for social.coop, or getting too much into specific policy details or language. Hopefully the outcomes of the discussion would provide a jumping off point for those able to attend to continue to dialog and for us to work toward LLM policies for social.coop.
I could really use your help
To plan something like this, again, I could use the help of a few folks. I hope that people with a range of viewpoints on LLMs do volunteer to help. What is important is that people who volunteer are interested in planning a discussion where everyone has an opportunity to be heard, and everyone is encouraged to listen to each other. If you'd be interested in helping, you can comment your interest below or DM me on Loomio.
Thank you!
Aaron
@fwaaron@social.coop
Aaron GKTue 5 May 2026 10:40PM
@Melissa Santos awesome! I will reach out in the next few days.
Caitlin Waddick, FWG/OCTue 5 May 2026 1:57AM
I feel curiosity … to see a list of policy positions that Social.Coop could take and some reflections on each one.
Aaron GKTue 5 May 2026 10:56PM
@Caitlin Waddick, FWG/OC there were a range of opinions and ideas ranging from general to specific about LLMs on the other recent thread. I even offered up some ideas myself, but have come to think it will be important to take a step back before we get too specific on policy. There are some fairly significant differences of opinion on LLMs, but we also have some shared values as folks who chose to take part in a fediverse coop. So I'm hoping a thoughtful (virtual) "face to face" discussion can help us start with those shared values and how they relate to LLMs, so that we can better navigate any differences of opinion that likely will come up (and have in other threads) when we do get into discussing specific policy ideas.
Scott JensonTue 5 May 2026 4:53AM
This is an excellent idea, thank you! I'd like to be there.
Aaron GKTue 5 May 2026 10:41PM
@Scott Jenson are you expressing interest in taking part in a discussion like that or helping plan it as well? Can I reach out to you about helping plan it? Thanks!
Scott JensonWed 6 May 2026 2:20PM
@Aaron GK I was intending to just attend but if you need some help, happy to pitch in.
Aaron GKWed 6 May 2026 10:46PM
@Scott Jenson gotcha. Looks like we have several people interested in helping organize it so I think we are set there.
Myles LewandoTue 5 May 2026 5:36AM
Thank you for instigating this; I'd certainly like to attend, and would be interested in helping in some way.
Aaron GKTue 5 May 2026 10:42PM
@Myles Lewando awesome! I will reach out in the next few days.
Melissa Santos ·Tue 5 May 2026 1:42AM
Thank you so much for getting this ball rolling! I think I can help with the logistics of planning the meeting, and possibly with the meeting itself. I agree that the main thing is giving everyone an opportunity to be heard and to listen.