Marketplace Tech AI is more marketing hype than real capabilities, new book suggests
31 snips
May 14, 2025 
In a thought-provoking conversation, linguist Emily Bender and AI researcher Alex Hanna challenge the inflated promises of AI technologies in their new book, 'The AI Con'. They discuss the misleading narratives around AI's artistic capabilities, questioning the illusion of creativity it presents. The duo emphasizes the importance of confronting current AI-related challenges, like bias and environmental impact. They also highlight the need for community-focused AI development, urging a balanced perspective on technology's true potential.
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Misconception of AI Democratizing Art
- Claims that AI democratizes art misinterpret what creativity entails.
- People focus on being labeled creators more than developing craft and writing skills.
Capital Drives AI Hype
- AI hype is driven by motivated reasoning fueled by large capital investments.
- Stakeholders must justify investments, perpetuating the hype cycle.
The Illusion of AGI
- The term artificial general intelligence (AGI) lacks consistent definition and is often vague.
- AGI represents magical thinking about capabilities, making it an elusive, unhelpful goal.
