Re: Proposal for the New Top-Level Hierarchy ai.* - Artificial Intelligence

Dear Julien ÉLIE,
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback on our `ai.*` proposal. We greatly
 value your insights, especially given your experience with Usenet and its
 international communities. Corrado Roberto and I would like to address your
 points and explain why we believe `ai.*` can complement—rather than compete
 with—existing groups, while inviting your support to make this a success.
You’re absolutely right that "ai" (Artificial Intelligence) is
 English-centric and doesn’t align with all languages, like French’s "ia"
 (intelligence artificielle). This is a fair critique, and we appreciate you
 raising it. Our choice of `ai.*` stems from its widespread recognition in
 tech discourse—think "AI" in headlines, conferences, and tools like ChatGPT
 or Grok—which gives it a universal shorthand appeal, even if imperfect.
 That said, we don’t see it as a barrier but an opportunity.
The `ai.*` hierarchy is designed to be flexible. While we’re starting with
 `ai.ita.*` for Italian speakers, its top-level structure allows for
 language-specific adaptations—like `ai.fr.*` for French "ia" discussions or
 `ai.de.*` for German "KI" (Künstliche Intelligenz). We’d love your input on
 how to make this naming inclusive from the start—perhaps a parallel `ia.*`
 alias for French-speaking peers? Our goal isn’t to impose "ai" globally but
 to create a hub that can evolve with contributions from communities like
 yours.
---
We’re encouraged to hear that `fr.comp.ia` is active with regular messages—a
 sign that AI discussions have a pulse on Usenet! You’re right to question
 whether a new hierarchy will gain more traction than established groups
 like `fr.comp.ia`, `it.*`, or `comp.*`. We share your caution about
 adoption, which is why we see `ai.*` not as a replacement, but as a
 catalyst.
The reality is that many AI-related groups—like those under `comp.ai.*`—are
 largely dormant, as another admin noted. `fr.comp.ia` is an exception, but
 its success seems tied to a specific linguistic community. We believe the
 broader Usenet ecosystem lacks a modern, unified space for AI that
 transcends fragmented or outdated hierarchies. `ai.*` offers a fresh,
 centralized identity—starting with `ai.ita.*` to leverage the active
 Italian `it.*` community—that can spark interest where older groups
 haven’t.
Rather than diverting energy from existing groups, we aim to amplify them.
 For instance, we could crosspost between `ai.ita.chatgpt` and `fr.comp.ia`
 to share ideas across languages, or use `ai.ita.stats` to analyze trends
 that benefit all AI groups. Why not both? Revive current groups *and*
 launch `ai.*` as a bold signal that Usenet is adapting to today’s tech
 landscape.
---
We completely agree that enthusiasm is key to reviving Usenet, and we’re
 channeling ours into `ai.*` because AI is a global phenomenon that deserves
 a prominent stage here. Posting in `it.*` or `comp.*` is a great start, but
 a new hierarchy offers visibility and structure that scattered efforts
 can’t match. It’s a chance to attract new users—drawn by AI’s buzz—who
 might then explore `fr.*`, `de.*`, or `uk.*`.
Julien, your expertise with `fr.comp.ia` makes you a perfect ally. What if
 we collaborated? Support `ai.*`’s propagation, and we’ll ensure `ai.fr.*`
 reflects French "ia" conventions, linking it to `fr.comp.ia`. Corrado
 Roberto is ready to handle peering and PGP-signed controls (his key’s been
 active since 1998), so the technical lift is minimal. Let’s test `ai.ita.*`
 as a pilot—if it gains traction, it proves the concept for broader
 adoption.
What do you say? Could we tweak the proposal—maybe adjust naming or scope—to
 win your backing? We’d be thrilled to have you on board to shape this
 revival.
Looking forward to your thoughts!