This site, and my content, has always been created using my own knowledge and hard work.

It's sickening to see AI being shoved into any and every product, service, and software we use.

The software that runs this website is no exception.

For weeks, I've been holding out on updating the forum software, because the latest major version is basically AI-everything.

Now, the software that runs the website has begun to add AI-features into the mix, too.

As these updates often come with important security patches, I will be forced to update them at some point in the near future.

My intention is to disable any and all AI-related features that are used to either collect data, or generate content.

One such feature included in the new forum software allows AI to create new topics. To me, this undermines the entire point of an online community, and would be insulting for those looking to learn from another person's shared experience. It's my understanding that this feature can (and will!) be disabled.

I honestly don't know where things are headed in the next year or two. If these AI features can no longer be disabled, I'll need to make some tough decisions.

This site, and all of my content, has always been offered for free and without outside influence or manipulation. It's one of the reasons why I've never put up ads, taken on sponsored content, or sold my newsletter members list to marketing companies.

If AI undermines the effort I've taken over the last 13 years of running VO, it would be heartbreaking to say the least.

I'm thinking out loud, and sharing my thoughts, because what's happening affects far more than VeganOstomy and the VO community.