Because Language - a podcast about linguistics, the science of language. 118: The A.I. Con (with Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna)
May 12, 2025
Emily M. Bender, a linguist and professor, and Alex Hanna, a sociologist leading research at DARE, dive into the con of AI hype. They humorously recount their podcasting journey, lament the intrusive AI features imposed by tech companies, and stress the importance of questioning AI’s role in daily life. The discussion highlights the sociological risks of AI companions, misinformation’s impact, and the need for human oversight in AI applications. They advocate for collective action to ensure technology benefits society and addresses bias in research.
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Podcast Origin and Development
- Emily Bender and Alex Hanna started their podcast Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 to bust AI hype using a fun MST3K style format. - They initially struggled with live streaming before professional help improved their production quality.
Beware AI Features Everywhere
- AI assistants embedded everywhere in software create confusion without clear benefits. - Summaries generated by large language models are often unreliable papier-mâché blends, not trustworthy concise information.
Useful AI and Privacy Concerns
- Large language models can be useful for tasks like debugging code when users can verify outputs themselves. - Embedded AI in personal apps (e.g., WhatsApp) raises privacy concerns without obvious usefulness.
