Tech Won't Save Us

Patreon Preview: The Fascistic Solutionism of AI w/ Dan McQuillan

Jan 20, 2025

Delve into the myths surrounding artificial intelligence and how tech companies shape deceptive narratives about its capabilities. Explore the disconnect between the hype and the real-world effectiveness of AI in sectors like healthcare and the economy. The discussion challenges listeners to consider the broader implications of these technologies and what they mean for our future.

04:33

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Quick takeaways

The narrative surrounding artificial intelligence is often misleading, creating inflated expectations while obscuring the technology's actual limitations and shortcomings.

Experts express skepticism about AI's claimed revolutionary benefits in sectors like healthcare, highlighting that superficial capabilities do not resolve complex real-world issues.

Deep dives

The Deceptive Narrative of AI

The concept of artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a powerful and revolutionary technology, yet this narrative is frequently misleading. Many tech companies leverage this broad term to create a facade that obscures the detrimental effects of their innovations. Experts discuss how technologies, particularly those based on deep learning, can mislead users into believing they possess capabilities far beyond their actual functions. This expectation taps into longstanding cultural narratives about AI, shaping public perception while masking the technology's limitations and shortcomings.

Unpacking the Myths of Artificial Intelligence

5min

Our Data Vampires series may be over, but Paris interviewed a bunch of experts on data centers and AI whose insights shouldn’t go to waste. We’re releasing those interviews as bonus episodes for Patreon supporters. Here’s a preview of this week’s premium episode with Dan McQuillan, author of Resisting AI and a lecturer at Goldsmiths University of London. For the full interview, support the show on Patreon.

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