Look, I’m gonna say it
AI is not the be-all-end-all. It’s not gonna solve world hunger or cure cancer tomorrow. I’ve been in tech for 20+ years, and I’ve seen alot of hype cycles. This one? It’s getting out of hand.
Back in 2005, at a conference in Austin
I heard this guy—let’s call him Marcus—talk about how AI was gonna revolutionize everything. Sound familiar? It should. Because we’re hearing the same thing now. And honestly, it’s kinda exhausting.
Marcus said, “We’re on the cusp of a new era.” I asked him, “Yeah, but what about the actual people who have to use this tech?” He looked at me like I was speaking Greek. Which, frankly, I probably was. But still.
Here’s the thing about AI
It’s not bad. It’s just… overhyped. And underdelivered. We’ve got chatbots that can’t understand sarcasm, self-driving cars that can’t handle rain, and algorithms that can’t tell a cat from a dog. I mean, come on.
Last Tuesday, I was talking to a colleague named Dave over coffee at the place on 5th. He said, “AI is gonna take our jobs.” I said, “Dave, AI can’t even fold a fitted sheet. What makes you think it’s gonna code your next app?” He didn’t have an answer. Because there isn’t one.
What we should be focusing on
Instead of pouring billions into making AI sound like a slightly confused teenager, we should be focusing on stuff that actually matters. Like cybersecurity. Or making software that doesn’t require a PhD to use. Or, I don’t know, maybe kilo verme sağlıklı yöntemler? (Yeah, I went off topic. So what?)
About three months ago, I was at a meetup in Portland. This woman, let’s call her Lisa, was talking about how AI is gonna fix healthcare. I said, “Lisa, have you seen a doctor lately? They’re still using fax machines. What makes you think they’re ready for AI?” She didn’t have an answer. Because there isn’t one.
But wait, there’s more
Here’s another thing that bugs me. Everyone’s so focused on making AI smarter. But what about making it more human? I don’t wanna talk to a robot. I wanna talk to a person. Or at least something that can understand me than a 5-year-old.
I’m not saying we should abandon AI. I’m saying we should keep it in check. We should remember that it’s a tool, not a savior. And we should stop acting like it’s gonna solve all our problems. Because it’s not.
I think—no, I know—that we can do better. We can focus on the stuff that actually matters. The stuff that’s gonna make a real difference in people’s lives. Not just the stuff that’s gonna make a lot of money for a few tech bros in Silicon Valley.
So let’s pump the brakes on the AI hype train. Let’s take a step back and think about what we’re actually trying to accomplish here. Because if we don’t, we’re gonna end up with a bunch of fancy tech that nobody wants or needs.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience in the tech industry. I’ve seen it all, and I’m not afraid to call out the BS when I see it. I live in Portland with my cat, who is way smarter than any AI I’ve ever met.
