The DSR Network
Siliconsciousness: The AI Con: A Conversation with Dr. Alex Hanna and Dr. Emily Bender
May 9, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Alex Hanna, a sociologist and director at the Distributed AI Research Institute, teams up with Dr. Emily Bender, a professor of linguistics at the University of Washington. They delve into the hype surrounding AI, questioning whether it's fueling inequality. The conversation takes on the complexities of AI terminology, warning against oversimplification that can obscure risks. They also tackle how biases in technology reinforce systemic issues and critique big tech’s influence over policy, urging a rethinking of the future we want.
34:06
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Quick takeaways
- Artificial intelligence is often mischaracterized as a coherent technology, necessitating clearer dialogue to understand its true implications and limitations.
- The influence of big tech on government regulations raises concerns about biases in AI systems, which can reinforce existing social inequalities and undermine equity efforts.
Deep dives
The Meaning Behind Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is predominantly a marketing term rather than a coherent collection of technologies. It encompasses a broad range of systems like image generators, automatic decision systems, and even spreadsheets, often leading to misconceptions about their functions. The podcast highlights the necessity of unpacking what AI truly represents to foster meaningful discussions surrounding its implications. By clarifying that many AI technologies do not share common characteristics, the authors argue for a more precise dialogue on the capabilities and limitations of these systems.
