AI Is a Scam, but Don't Let That Spoil Machine Learning (gardinerbryant.com)

The recent commentary on the AI industry presents a stark critique, labeling it a “scam” driven by hype rather than genuine innovation. The author, identifying as an "AI skeptic," argues that many current AI applications, such as chatbots and generative models, are built on longstanding technologies and algorithms that predate the current buzz. By drawing attention to the industry’s reliance on fear-mongering and the significant influence of figures like Sam Altman, the piece warns against equating all AI with productive machine learning (ML) advancements. It stresses that while there are legitimate applications of ML—like automatic audio transcription in video editing software (e.g., DaVinci Resolve)—the overarching narrative often obscures their potential by promoting less effective, marketing-driven AI solutions. This critique is particularly significant for the AI/ML community as it encourages a clearer distinction between sensationalized “AI” and practical “machine learning.” The article highlights the importance of focusing on ethical implications, like the need for local processing rather than mass data reliance on cloud services, particularly in the context of open-source initiatives. Ultimately, the commentary suggests that while the industry is saturated with inflated claims and distractions, the underlying technology has transformative potential when applied responsibly and ethically toward real-world problems.