Look, I Get It
AI is everywhere. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone talking about how AI is gonna change everything. And honestly? I’m over it.
I’ve been in tech journalism for 20+ years. I’ve seen trends come and go. And let me tell you, the AI hype train is getting old. Fast.
My First Red Flag
It was about three months ago. I was at a conference in Austin. Some hotshot VC was on stage, talking about how AI is the second coming of Christ. I turned to my colleague, Dave, and said, “Dave, if I hear ‘disruptive paradigm’ one more time, I’m gonna scream.”
Dave laughed. He gets it. He’s been around the block too. We’ve seen this movie before. It doesn’t end well.
But Here’s the Thing
I’m not saying AI isn’t important. It is. But it’s not the be-all-end-all. And frankly, the way people are talking about it is making me physicaly ill.
I mean, have you seen the headlines? “AI will cure cancer!” “AI will end world hunger!” “AI will make your coffee better!” Come on. Give me a break.
Anecdote Time: Marcus and the AI Hype
Let’s call him Marcus. He’s a friend of a friend. Works at some startup in Silicon Valley. He’s all about the AI. Last Tuesday, he’s telling me how AI is gonna revolutionize yachting. I asked him how. He said, “Well, it’s gonna make the boats drive themselves.”
I said, “Marcus, that’s not AI. That’s just automation.” He looked at me like I was speaking Martian.
The Reality Check
AI is a tool. It’s a powerful tool. But it’s still just a tool. And like any tool, it’s only as good as the person using it.
I remember back in ’98, everyone was talking about how the internet was gonna change everything. And it did. But not in the way they thought. It’s the same with AI. We’re all focused on the shiny new thing, but we’re forgetting the basics.
Like, have you tried to find healthy recipes meal planning lately? It’s a nightmare. AI can’t even get that right. How are we supposed to trust it with world-changing stuff?
The Hype is Real
I get it. Hype sells. It gets clicks. It gets funding. But it’s also dangerous. Because when the hype dies down, and it always does, we’re left with a bunch of broken promises and disappointed people.
I’m not saying we should ignore AI. But we should probably calm down a bit. Take a step back. Breathe.
And for the love of God, stop using the word ‘disruptive’ so much. It’s 2023, not 1999.
Off Topic: The Great British Bake Off
Speaking of overhyped things, have you seen the latest season of The Great British Bake Off? I mean, I get it. It’s comforting. It’s fun. But is it really the best show on TV right now? I don’t think so.
But hey, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. (I’m not.)
Final Thoughts
AI is important. But it’s not the only thing. And it’s definitely not the most important thing. So let’s all take a deep breath, calm down, and maybe focus on something else for a while.
Like, I don’t know, world peace or something.
About the Author: Jane Doe has been a senior editor at major publications for over 20 years. She’s seen trends come and go, and she’s not afraid to call out the hype when she sees it. When she’s not writing, she can be found yelling at her TV during football games or trying to find a decent recipe online.
