AI is nothing new, LLMs are (jensrantil.github.io)

The recent surge in companies branding themselves as "AI companies" highlights a misunderstanding of the term's historical context and evolution. Artificial Intelligence is not a new concept; it dates back to the 1950s when pioneers like Alan Turing and John McCarthy laid the groundwork for the field. AI encompasses a wide range of systems that simulate human-like intelligence, from traditional rule-based methods to contemporary machine learning techniques. While current discourse heavily emphasizes large language models (LLMs), the writer argues that AI has always involved various forms of “smart” technologies, such as spam detection and recommender systems, which have been in use for decades. This resurgence in interest is significant for the AI/ML community as it underscores both the fascination with and misconceptions surrounding advanced AI technologies. The emphasis on LLMs, while noteworthy, risks overshadowing the broader spectrum of AI developments that have been shaping the industry for years. The author urges a nuanced understanding of AI, advocating for recognition of its diverse applications and the importance of historical context when discussing its evolution. The claim that a company is "AI" should prompt scrutiny, as some may merely recycle older technologies rather than innovate with cutting-edge solutions.