The fight against AI hype is gaining academic momentum, as prominent researchers Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna release their new book challenging Big Tech‘s narrative around artificial intelligence. Their work, “The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want,” expands on their popular podcast “Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000” to provide a comprehensive critique of the exaggerated promises and potential harms of current AI development trajectories. Their analysis arrives at a crucial moment when organizations are struggling to separate genuine AI capabilities from marketing hyperbole and determine responsible implementation paths.
The big picture: Bender and Hanna’s book emerged from their podcast collaboration and aims to equip the public and policymakers with tools to resist AI hype while developing more human-centered technological futures.
Labor impacts: The authors challenge the common narrative that AI will replace jobs, arguing instead that AI implementation often degrades working conditions rather than eliminating positions outright.
Governance concerns: Bender and Hanna express skepticism about delegating governance responsibilities to automated systems, highlighting the risks of abdicating human judgment in complex social contexts.
Research integrity: The book raises alarms about AI’s impact on scientific research, particularly regarding peer review processes and the integrity of academic literature.
Climate considerations: Bender and Hanna reject techno-solutionist approaches to environmental challenges, arguing that AI is unlikely to solve the climate crisis.
Resistance strategies: The book offers practical approaches for resisting uncritical AI adoption, focusing on collective action and education.