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

On 30 Mar 2025 23:29:03 GMT, Bingo3331 <invalid@invalid.com> wrote:

### **Request for Discussion: Creation of the ai.* Hierarchy**
We, Bingo3331 and Corrado Roberto, are excited to propose the establishment
of `ai.*` as a new top-level hierarchy on Usenet, dedicated to artificial
intelligence (AI) a transformative field that deserves a prominent and
dedicated space in our network. Initially, the hierarchy will host
Italian-language groups under `ai.ita.*`, but it is designed to be scalable
and accommodate international communities in the future (e.g., `ai.eng.*`,
`ai.fr.*`). Below, we outline the details and the compelling benefits for
the Usenet community.
---
### **Proposed Initial Groups**
1. **ai.ita.general**
  Charter: "General discussions on artificial intelligence. Primary
language: Italian. English posts welcome. Text-only, no binaries."
2. **ai.ita.chatgpt**
  Charter: "Discussions on ChatGPT: news, uses, and developments. Primary
language: Italian. English posts welcome. Text-only."
3. **ai.ita.deepseek**
  Charter: "Discussions on DeepSeek: news and applications. Primary
language: Italian. English posts permitted. Text-only."
4. **ai.ita.grok**
  Charter: "Discussions on Grok: updates and usage. Primary language:
Italian.
English posts welcome. Text-only."
5. **ai.ita.image-gen**
  Charter: "Discussions on AI image generators (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E).
Primary language: Italian. English posts welcome. Text-only, no binaries."
6. **ai.ita.video-gen**
  Charter: "Discussions on AI video and film generators (e.g., Sora).
Primary language: Italian. English posts welcome. Text-only, no binaries."
7. **ai.ita.stats**
  Charter: "Statistics and analysis of ai.ita.* group usage: users, posts,
trends. Primary language: Italian. English posts welcome. Text-only."
---
### **Why ai.* as a Top-Level Hierarchy?**
#### **1. AI is a Globally Significant Topic**
Artificial intelligence is reshaping technology and society from chatbots
like ChatGPT and Grok to multimedia generators. Usenet, with its rich
history of technical discourse (e.g., `comp.*`, `sci.*`), is the perfect
platform for a dedicated AI hierarchy. While `comp.ai.*` exists, it is
outdated and underutilized, failing to capture the breadth and dynamism of
modern AI. `ai.*` fills this gap with a forward-looking approach.
#### **2. Scalable and Inclusive Design**
Unlike a sub-hierarchy such as `alt.ai.*`, a top-level `ai.*` provides a
robust foundation for growth. We begin with `ai.ita.*` to serve the vibrant
Italian Usenet community already active in `it.*` but the structure
supports future expansion to other languages (e.g., `ai.eng.*`, `ai.de.*`)
or sub-topics (e.g., `ai.ethics.*`, `ai.tools.*`). This scalability ensures
`ai.*` can evolve with the field.
#### **3. Revitalizing Usenet**
Usenet has seen declining participation. A modern, high-profile hierarchy
like `ai.*`, focused on a trending topic, can attract both seasoned users
and newcomers fascinated by AI. The bilingual approach of `ai.ita.*`
(Italian primary, English welcome) bridges local and global communities,
boosting engagement across borders.
#### **4. Alignment with Existing Hierarchies**
`ai.*` fits naturally alongside top-level hierarchies like `comp.*`
(computers), `sci.*` (science), and `rec.*` (recreation) as a distinct
thematic domain. It's not a miscellaneous experiment suited for `alt.*`,
but a deliberate, structured proposal with clear purpose and growth
potential.
#### **5. Operational Simplicity**
The proposed groups are text-only, aligning with the capabilities of most
Usenet servers. The inclusion of `ai.ita.stats` offers a practical tool to
monitor activity and optimize the hierarchy, preventing the proliferation
of empty or redundant groups a common issue elsewhere.
---
### **Request to Admins**
We, Bingo3331 and Corrado Roberto, respectfully ask news server
administrators to:
1. **Propagate the ai.* Hierarchy**: Add `ai.*` to your `active` and
`newsgroups` files, starting with the `ai.ita.*` groups listed above. This
will ensure AI discussions reach a global audience.
2. **Forward Control Messages**: Support the PGP-signed `newgroup` and
`checkgroups` messages we will issue to create and maintain these groups.
Corrado Roberto's PGP key (active since 1998) is available for
verification.
3. **Establish Peering**: Collaborate with us to set up peering agreements,
particularly with Italian servers (e.g., `it.*`) and major international
ones (e.g., Eternal September), for seamless propagation. Contact Corrado
Roberto at <roberto@corradoroberto.it> for technical coordination.
---
### **Motivation and Appeal**
AI is not a passing trend it's the future of technology. Usenet can remain
relevant by embracing `ai.*`, a hierarchy that reflects today's innovations
while honoring our tradition of open discussion. Let's not confine AI to
the catch-all chaos of `alt.*`. Instead, let's give it the prominence it
deserves with a top-level hierarchy that can thrive and expand.
We invite the community and admins to discuss this proposal. We're open to
feedback to refine the names, charters, or approach. With sufficient
support, we'll proceed with a Call for Votes (CFV) to formalize `ai.*`.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Bingo3331
Roberto Corrado
news admin of news.corradoroberto.it

"usenet has seen declining participation" seems to be a prevailing theme

many, if not most, newsgroups that might've been active decades ago have
gone silent . . . artificial anything is better than superficial nothing