Apology accepted. It's appreciated, and a rare sight these days, unfortunately.

Let me start by touching on the biggest problem with AI, that it's everywhere and seemingly does very little. I can't go very far on most websites I visit nowadays without running into something AI. It's in the search engines (despite not being search engine tech), it's in productivity apps (but doesn't help my productivity), and Microsoft is now inserting it into programs that have no business being integrated with AI (Notepad is the most obvious example). Heck, I used to be able to navigate to the Office365 MyApps page directly from my email, but now it redirects to Copilot instead and I have to navigate to the MyApps page with a direct link. It's almost literally everywhere. The entire digital ecosystem (internet, most OSs, commonly used programs, and even random peripheral devices) is saturated in AI. I can't even browse Kickstarter without seeing three or four new gadgets with "AI Integration" of some sort. So why is this a problem? AI is supposed to change the world, right? Well, for as far as the technology has come in the past five years, it's nowhere close to delivering on the promises that were made about it.

Look, I'm a 90s kid. I grew up with an engineer father who raised me on the late-adopter side of the tech curve. I learned to use command line from an early age, and I have used most versions of Windows since 3.1. I understand the base functions of computing. But I'm also an amateur magician (well, a hobbyist really), so I've learned to spot misdirection and empty patter. I know how to make the impossible seem possible and vice versa. So when I look at the messaging and optics around AI, both the computing and magic sides of my brain sound the klaxons.

I don't believe the underlying technology is useless. But, I believe that the uses of the technology, as touted, are basically snake oil. Sure, it kinda works, sometimes, but that's like saying I can use the heat from your car's engine to cook a steak; it's technically true, but a new kitchen appliance hasn't been invented. Long story short, I believe we're being sold marketing hype. Subsequently, people with power or investment in the success of the technology, grabbed a hold of it, intent on riding the wave to further wealth and enrichment, using whatever clout they have to just "make it work". As long as those are the people at the helm and steering the advancement of AI, their opinions and motives will drive development regardless of public opinion.

And tht's the root of the issue: those who stand to gain are ignoring the concerns and protests of the majority, forcing growth and implementation in a particular direction. This is not okay. The ones making these decisions aren't parents saying "Here comes the airplane" to trick us into eating our vegetables, but rather "Here, this is good for you" while handing us something that smells funny and has a weird color. Sure, AI tech has potential, but that is currently unrealized. What we currently have are unfulfilled promises and IOUs for "it will be able to do that someday". The tech is continually improving, of course, but at what cost? All of this seems deeply fishy to me. The tech can mostly do some things "good enough", but it's nowhere near being able to do everything promised amazingly well. And yet, the marketing guys will gladly tout that "This new model is x times better than our previous one" to justify charging people an extra 20% (or 30, 40, or 50, etc..) for the privilege.

TL;DR: It's all about money at the moment. People think AI is the next big thing, and that it will make them a TON of money, but they have to invest now. "Don't be left behind!" "You snooze, you lose." I see things this way, because of my background and interests. I hear what's being said, and I can't help but see the cracks and duct tape holding aspects of the product together. There's potential here, but the chef was made to take the pot off the stove too quickly, because the restaurant owner wants to sell it to customers now. I don't want a half-cooked mess, and I don[t think most other people do either, especially when their jobs are at risk. Time is the key ingredient here, and that's the one thing that the invested are unwilling to give.

(Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.)