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Mythologizing AI makes it more likely that we’ll fail to operate it well (2023)

newyorker.com

July 20, 2026

19 min read

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46/100

Summary

The term "artificial intelligence" was coined in the 1950s during the early days of computing. Misunderstanding the concept of AI could lead to mismanagement of this emerging technology.

Key Takeaways

The term "artificial intelligence" is considered misleading and potentially dangerous by some computer scientists, who argue it may lead to misunderstandings about the technology.
A recent poll indicated that half of A.I. scientists believe there is at least a ten-percent chance that A.I. could lead to the destruction of humanity.
The author suggests that A.I. should be viewed as a tool for social collaboration rather than as a form of true intelligence, emphasizing that current models like GPT-4 are sophisticated mashups of human-created data.
Mythologizing A.I. technology may hinder effective management and understanding of its implications, leading to potential risks.

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Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

Despite its limitations, current AI is impressively intelligent in practical ways, showcasing its potential for meaningful applications.
The ongoing discourse about AI safety reflects a necessary culture of caution as we advance these technologies.

Concerns

We're mislabeling LLMs as 'AI' when they're just programs executing basic scripts, which undercuts the seriousness of true intelligence.
The idea that we're close to achieving AGI is naive; current models lack genuine common sense and reasoning capabilities.
Concerns about AI autonomy are valid, especially as labs push for increased complexity while trying to avoid self-replicating systems.