In this conversation, Sean McMullen, husband of Tara McMullin, dives into the heated debate surrounding Ann Leckie's comments on AI chatbots versus search engines. He emphasizes the nuances of information, data, and knowledge, while critiquing the often condescending perspectives of some tech commentators. The discussion explores how AI tools influence critical thinking and user engagement, highlighting the difference between exploration and efficiency in learning. Sean also reflects on the importance of curiosity in navigating digital inquiry.
The podcast discusses the fundamental differences between AI chatbots and traditional search engines, emphasizing their distinct roles in information retrieval.
A critical examination of 'information' highlights the need for context and interpretation, distinguishing between raw data and meaningful understanding.
The conversation reflects on user engagement with technology, noting how search engines encourage exploration while AI chatbots streamline responses, potentially stifling curiosity.
Deep dives
Understanding AI vs. Search Engines
The conversation begins with a nuanced exploration of the differences between AI chatbots like ChatGPT and traditional search engines. This discussion is prompted by a controversial statement from author Anne Leckie, who expresses that AI does not scan the web for information in the same way a search engine does. The backlash she receives highlights a pervasive confusion between these two technologies, as many argue that AI models have integrated web search features. This exchange reflects broader issues of understanding technological interfaces and how they shape our perceptions of what information can be provided.
Defining Information
A critical point of the conversation revolves around the definition of 'information' itself, differentiating between technical and colloquial understandings. While some voices in the tech community assert that AI tools actively gather information from the web, others challenge this by proposing that information must include context and interpretation. This reveals the broader implications of how we analyze information—whether as mere raw data or as something needing interpretation and context. Tressie McMillan Cottom supports Leckie by emphasizing the usability context of her statement, underscoring the significance of understanding the medium through which information is conveyed.
The Media Environment Framework
The podcast introduces Marshall McLuhan's concept of media environments, positing that different technologies create unique rules and patterns of user behavior. A search engine is characterized as a medium that encourages exploration and curiosity, while AI chatbots promote efficiency and standardization in how users interact with information. The dynamic of how individuals engage with these mediums is crucial in shaping not only their outcomes but also the thinking processes they develop over time. This differentiation signifies how the usability of each medium alters expectations and behaviors, influencing how knowledge is pursued.
Patterns of Behavior and User Experience
As the dialogue continues, it highlights the variance in user experiences between search engines and chatbots during the information-gathering process. Search engines often allow users a broad exploration of content and the ability to cross-reference different sources, fostering a more engaged learning experience. In contrast, AI chatbots often provide direct answers, which can limit curiosity and further inquiry. This distinction underscores the importance of cultivating information-seeking skills and critical thinking in a landscape increasingly dominated by automated responses.
Authority and Knowledge in Information Retrieval
Finally, the discussion shifts to who holds authority in the information provided by AI chatbots versus traditional sources. While users may treat chatbots as authoritative, these models do not possess genuine understanding or expertise; they merely generate responses based on statistical patterns from vast datasets. This lack of true authority breeds potential misinformation, leading users to inadvertently accept inaccurate information as truth. The implications for learning and knowledge acquisition are profound, as reliance on chatbots could weaken critical thinking skills and the ability to discern the quality and authenticity of information.
Is an AI chatbot, like ChatGPT, a search engine? Does it scour the internet for helpful information so that it can respond to user queries?
These questions were at the heart of a small kerfuffle on Bluesky last week between decorated speculative fiction writer Ann Leckie and a few prominent tech thinkers. Honestly, it bummed me out. But I found that the next morning, I had a lot to say about it. So I enlisted my dear husband, Sean, and I talked him through it.
This episode is different than the last 6 months or so of episodes. If you have the same taste in podcasts that I do, you'll recognize the format. I've been wanting to try it for a long time, and this was the perfect topic to give it a go. It's far more casual than the last 15+ episodes, but just as rigorous. If you like it, reach out on Bluesky, and let me know! Sean is already asking when we can do it again.
Summer Seminar is an intellectual oasis for creative thinkers and curious adventurers.
It combines speculative fiction, big questions, and practical application. For Summer 2025, we’re reading Sofia Samatar’s critically acclaimed novella The Practice, The Horizon, and The Chain.
We’ll pair it with adventures in systems thinking and cultural analysis. And we’ll apply what we discover by reflecting on the systems we create and encounter in our own lives and work.
Summer Seminar is designed to fit into any schedule and explores critical thinking skills you can apply to any goal or challenge.
