Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

Raina Bloom, Reference Services Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries, shares her expertise on the unraveling U.S. information ecosystem. She discusses the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in representing diverse viewpoints and the dangers of misinformation. Bloom critiques reliance on AI in journalism, emphasizing journalistic integrity and the risks of AI-generated content. The conversation also highlights the importance of context and historical perspectives in understanding AI biases and the role of technology in managing information.

Joining the discussion is Tamara Kneese, the Director of Climate, Technology, and Justice at the Data & Society Research Institute. She dives into the absurdity of lunar data centers and critiques Silicon Valley's technosolutionist dreams. The conversation also highlights the environmental impact of AI and Bitcoin, addressing the societal backlash against these technologies. Kneese advocates for scientific research over blind faith in innovation, stressing the urgent need for genuine solutions to climate challenges and the preservation of Indigenous languages.

Gina Neff, executive director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy, critiques the UK Prime Minister's recent AI investment initiative, highlighting its potential to benefit big tech rather than the economy or workers. She dismantles the 'AI Opportunities Action Plan,' questioning its effectiveness amidst austerity measures. The conversation underscores the urgent need for a regulatory framework prioritizing labor rights and explores the disconnect between AI ambitions and childhood play, revealing a tug-of-war between technology and imagination.

This conversation dives into OpenAI's groundbreaking o3 model and its claims of nearing human-like intelligence. Sam Altman's reflections on ChatGPT reveal the complex dynamics of AGI development. The hosts humorously examine AI's role in everyday tools, like kitchen faucets, and the ethical implications surrounding its adoption in schools. They also tackle the climate crisis through the lens of AI's environmental impact and highlight concerns over AI's integration into academia and public policy, urging for clear communication and accountability.

The podcast takes a critical look at AI's role in medical education, questioning its fairness. They hilariously dissect UCLA's use of AI in literature courses and examine AI’s shortcomings in parenting and social issues. Ancient civilizations are explored with skepticism about AI's effectiveness. Legal missteps shine a light on OpenAI's data handling troubles, while a discussion on media bias reveals the complexities of news metrics. Finally, healthcare applications of AI highlight concerns about reliability and emotional connections.

Tech journalist Brian Merchant, a journalist in residence at the AI Now Institute and co-host of System Crash, dives into the evolution of artificial general intelligence and its role in shaping tech investments. He critiques initial AGI hype driven by figures like Elon Musk and Sam Altman. The conversation touches on the tension between optimism and skepticism in AI narratives, the ethical challenges of automation, and the implications of AI in publishing. Brian humorously unpacks the misconceptions surrounding AGI and its business models, raising essential questions about technology's future.

Adrienne Williams, a former educator and DAIR research fellow, dives into the detrimental impact of tech-savvy billionaires on education. She critiques their focus on AI solutions while ignoring systemic issues in underfunded schools. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by educators of color, the ethical dilemmas of data sharing, and the startling realities of biased AI technologies. From the absurdities of self-driving wheelchairs to the dangers of AI-driven narratives, Adrienne encourages a critical look at tech’s role in our classrooms.

OpenAI's latest ambitious claim about its new model's 'complex reasoning' sparks a lively dissection by the hosts. They highlight the absurdity of relying on so-called experts for dataset validation. As they delve into the murky waters of AI policies and human values, a fictional AI hell provides comedic relief amid serious critiques. The conversation shifts to the ethical implications of recent AI actions, advocating for greater consumer awareness and protection against the risks posed by new technologies.

Technology journalist Paris Marx joins Alex and Emily for a conversation about the environmental harms of the giant data centers and other water- and energy-hungry infrastructure at the heart of LLMs and other generative tools like ChatGPT -- and why the hand-wavy assurances of CEOs that 'AI will fix global warming' are just magical thinking, ignoring a genuine climate cost and imperiling the clean energy transition in the US.Paris Marx is a tech journalist and host of the podcast Tech Won’t Save Us. He also recently launched a 4-part series, Data Vampires, (which features Alex) about the promises and pitfalls of data centers like the ones AI boosters rely on.References:Eric Schmidt says AI more important than climate goalsMicrosoft's sustainability reportSam Altman's “The Intelligence Age” promises AI will fix the climate crisisPreviously on MAIHT3K: Episode 19: The Murky Climate and Environmental Impact of Large Language Models, November 6 2023Fresh AI Hell:Rosetta to linguists: "Embrace AI or risk extinction" of endangered languagesA talking collar that you can use to pretend to talk with your petsGoogle offers synthetic podcasts through NotebookLMAn AI 'artist' claims he's losing millions of dolalrs from people stealing his workUniversity hiring English professor to teach...prompt engineeringCheck out future streams at on Twitch, Meanwhile, send us any AI Hell you see.Our book, 'The AI Con,' is out now! Get your copy now.Subscribe to our newsletter via Buttondown. Follow us!Emily Bluesky: emilymbender.bsky.social Mastodon: dair-community.social/@EmilyMBender Alex Bluesky: alexhanna.bsky.social Mastodon: dair-community.social/@alex Twitter: @alexhanna Music by Toby Menon.Artwork by Naomi Pleasure-Park. Production by Christie Taylor.

The hosts dive into the debate on whether AI can replace human scientists, revealing the limitations of fully automated research. They share concerns about AI's potential to skew academic integrity and the absurdity of its role in generating genuine scientific insight. A humorous discussion unpacks the anthropomorphism of AI in academia, questioning its capabilities while highlighting ethical standards. Additionally, they touch on troubling incidents involving AI in journalism and healthcare, advocating for more stringent regulations in the face of growing skepticism.