Ask HN: Can we direct AI on our personal projects during work hours?

iExploder · 2026-08-05T08:48:20 1785919700

Is it ok to send DMs to your side piece when your partner is away?

Employer relationships are not much different, if you choose to do it, do it on the sly or suffer the consequence ;)

If you are a contractor (bachelor) situation may be different...

runjake · 2026-08-04T19:46:36 1785872796

The first rule of AI club is you do not talk about personal AI projects at work.

- Don't do any of it on work equipment, otherwise your employer may own your works. Do you like being sued?

- Don't discuss it with people at work, otherwise your employer may own your works because: time and IP. Do you like being sued?

Keep your mouth shut, use your own equipment and probably even network (eg: cell) and you should be fine. Or do you like being sued?

rpnx · 2026-08-04T22:16:48 1785881808

Obviously using work equipment is a no-no. I'm also in agreement on point #2 aside that I think it's okay to discuss such topics e.g. during lunch in the same way you may discuss any other random topic at lunch.

hash0 · 2026-08-05T05:54:36 1785909276

Honest question from an enthusiastic AI user:

"using AI consists of sending a message a waiting a long time (often an hour or more) before the AI finishes a task."

>>> What on earth are you prompting AI with that it takes so long to finish?!

byoung2 · 2026-08-04T17:12:32 1785863552

I would imagine it is similar to running an AirBnB and answering a guest's message during work hours. Just don't be obvious about it and don't let it interfere with your main job.