2026, Our Rotting Future (www.thegist.ie)

A recent critique of AI technology raises significant concerns about its efficacy and ethical implications, arguing that much of the hype surrounding artificial intelligence is misleading and detrimental. The author expresses discontent with AI offerings, pointing out that many tools, such as Microsoft Word's new dialogue prompts for writers, serve to mock the very creativity they claim to enhance. Rather than assisting users, these features often generate irrelevant content, further alienating those who rely on writing for their livelihoods. This illustrates a deeper issue within the AI industry: technology designed not for utility, but for the attention and financial gain of its creators. The piece emphasizes that AI's pervasive presence in work and life stems from a corporate strategy aimed at raising valuations rather than solving real problems. With an estimated $700 billion invested in AI but only $60 billion in annual revenue, the author warns of an impending financial reckoning. This unsustainable model is already affecting job markets and quality of information, as AI systems produce subpar content and contribute to broader societal challenges, including mental health crises linked to their misuse. The commentary ultimately underscores the existential risk of AI technology, concluding that it threatens to degrade both cultural production and human experience, effectively altering society's trajectory toward a troubling future.